Tag: hope

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Psalm 34 III

Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 

Who is the man who desires life And loves length of days that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil And your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous And His ears are open to their cry.  (Psalm 34:11-15,NASB)

Still more from Psalm 34 (for previous essays on Psalm 34, please see the 15 July and 18 July installments).  More from David: 

“Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.”  This reminds me that the father of the home is responsible to teach the children to live by faith.  The “fear of the Lord” is a healthy respect, such that we want to do His will. 

“Who is the man who desires life And loves length of days that he may see good?”  This seems to me to be a rhetorical question.  I think most people desire a long life, and to “see good.”  I do! 

“Keep your tongue from evil And your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.”  This is great advise for living from David.  The Bible is consistent about bridling the tongue.  Here, keeping “from evil,” and “speaking deceit.”  Next, actively fleeing “from evil and [doing] good.  Note the active verb “depart.”  We have to work to stay away from the evil, and to do the good works.  More active verbs:  “Seek peace and pursue it.”  The Bible is all about peace, and especially Jesus’ teachings. 

Psalm 34 14
Psalm 34:14 image.  Found at The Consecrated Woman, https://theconsecratedwoman.com/2020/06/30/seek-peace-3/

Last, “The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous And His ears are open to their cry.”  David didn’t know of Christ Jesus, but he did know that one of his descendants would be seated on the throne of David forever.  The only way for a person to meet God’s criteria for being “righteous,” or to be made right with God, is to ask Jesus to be the Lord of their life.  Then, God’s “ears [will be] open to their cry”  God hears from His children, according to His will. 

To summarize, God wants us to control our tongues.  He wants us to actively turn from evil, and do good (love God and love people).  He desires (though it’s not His decree) that we acknowledge His Son, and put our faith, trust, and hope in Jesus.  By Him we obtain righteousness, and gain God’s attention.  My hope is in Jesus. 

Worship:  “The One I’ve Been Waiting For,” by Out of the Grey
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Things Unseen

. . . we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NASB)

The text above is from the Apostle Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth.  In this passage, he discusses the unseen hope that followers of Jesus share. 

Paul begins by attesting that Christians “do not lose heart.”  Why not?  “Though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.”  I heard someone say once that from the time we’re born, we’re dying.  It’s a matter of perspective.  A friend I recently met through email, who has a terminal disease, told me he likes to remind others that they, too, are terminal.  We are all in a state of decay.  With ALS, I become a little less capable each day.  Some people, especially those who have terminal diseases, are decaying faster than others.  But to experience inner renewal, there is but one name:  Jesus! 

Paul further explains, “For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.”  For those who have called upon the name of the Lord and are saved, what we go through and experience now is nothing compared to the glory we’ll experience later in heaven, in the New Jerusalem!  I can’t wait!  The reunions we’ll experience . . .  Jan Catton has told me we’ll meet inside the Pearly Gates.  It’s never too early to begin planning!

A man in a wheelchair looking to the heavens

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 image.  Found at Learn Religions, https://www.learnreligions.com/look-to-the-unseen-day-26-701778

Finally, “We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”  Our hope lies in the things we can’t see now.  “This world has nothing for me.”  My hope lies not in a political party, government, nor the institutions of man.  My hope is in the Lord, and the promises of God that I read in my Bible. I stand on those promises of everlasting life which only Jesus can fulfill.  

Paul says that the things we see now are “temporal.”  Jesus-followers long for the things unseen, which are “eternal.”  One of the tasks Jesus is performing right now is preparing a dwelling place in the New Jerusalem for those who believe in Him.  This is one of the things we cannot see now, but for which we hope.  New Jerusalem is described in the book of Revelation, and oh, what a place it will be!  “The things which are not seen are eternal,” and they will be glorious to those who know Him! 

Worship:  “Rescue,” by Desperation Band

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Plans

‘ . . . Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare’ . . . “For thus says the Lord, ‘When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.'”  (Jeremiah 29:7, 10-13, NASB)

The Bible passage above takes place during the exile of the kingdom of Judah to Babylon.  This is an excerpt of a letter the prophet Jeremiah had written to the Jewish exiles in Babylon, telling them God’s message to keep the faith, that eventually they would return to their Homeland.  The letter begins by telling God’s people to live a normal life while they’re in Babylon. (Jeremiah 29:4-6)

Jeremiah’s next instruction is to “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.”  This is good advice to us today.  Those of us who follow Christ Jesus have dual citizenship in heaven.  We’re just passing through.  Yet we’re to be model citizens where we are, to attract others as we seek to populate Heaven!  We should pray for the “welfare” of our city, state, and Nation so that we can lead tranquil lives, and dwell with security. 

Jeremiah 29:11
Jeremiah 29:11 image.  Found at DailyVerses.net, https://dailyverses.net/jeremiah/29/11

Next, God tells them that their exile will last for 70 years, consistent with previous prophecy (God is a Promise-Keeper!), at which time they would be restored to the Promised Land.  “‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.'”  God has the same promise for His children, those who have called upon the name of the Lord, and have been saved.  God has a plan for us.  It’s up to us to follow.  

Jeremiah concludes this portion with, “Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.'”  This is true for believers today.  Wise men and women still seek Jesus.  When they’ve found Him, then God listens to our prayers. 

I thought I had plans for my retirement:  Lots of golf together with Sue and with our friends.  Traveling to see our grandchildren; oh, and our kids, too.  And traveling to places we haven’t been.  But God had other plans for me.  Four years ago I was diagnosed with ALS.  While I would prefer not to have this disease, I have to trust that God’s plan is far better than mine.  Plans for a “future and a hope.”  My hope?  I trust and hope in the name of the Lord! 

Worship: “Out of the Ordinary,” by Out of the Grey

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Psalm 34 II

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them. O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! O fear the Lord, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no want. The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; But they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing.  (Psalm 34:7-10, NASB)

More from David’s Psalm 34:  

“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them.”  I heard at a Bible study once that Old Testament references to “THE angel of the Lord (as opposed to “AN angel of the Lord”)” mean Jesus Himself.  So Jesus stays near to those who have called upon His name, and He rescues them.  From what?  From God’s wrath on the day of judgment!  Actually, Jesus isn’t just near to His followers, He indwells them in the form of the Holy Spirit! 

“O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!”  I’ve tried the Lord, and I can definitely say it’s better to be with Jesus than to be without Him!  Happy are His followers!  The Old Testament often uses images of people taking “refuge” under God’s “wings.”

Psalm 34:7 The Angel Of The Lord (black)

Psalm 34:7 image.  Found at Knowing Jesus, https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Psalm/34/7

“O fear the Lord, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no want.”  “Fear” means a healthy respect for God such that we try to keep His commands.  Those who do will have all of their needs met by the Lord.  By the way, if you’re a follower of Jesus, you are a saint! 

“The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; But they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing.”  The lion pretty much comes and goes where he pleases, and eats whatever he wants.  But compared to a believer, the lion is needy.  Again, those who trust in the Lord have no want for anything. 

To summarize, those who have put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ have been rescued; are blessed (happy); and God will meet all of their needs.  I praise the Lord that He rescued me.  How about you? 

Worship:  “Psalm 34,” by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir 

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Psalm 34

I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul will make its boast in the LORD; The humble will hear it and rejoice. O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.  (Psalm 34:1-4, NASB)

Psalm 34 was written by David before he became King of Israel.  He had been anointed King by Samuel the judge, and was evading capture and execution at the hands of King Saul.  David fled to Abimelech, king of an enemy of Israel, and feigned insanity to get away from him.  The title of this psalm is “The LORD, a Provider and Deliverer.”  I’ve highlighted several passages from this psalm, so I’ll cover it more than once. 

What strikes me is David’s steadfastness:  “I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”  This is what followers of Jesus are called to do, and with God’s help, we should strive to do.  God inhabits the praises of His people, and we should praise Him as often as possible. 

“Magnify the Lord.”  Found at https://blog.josephprince.com/magnify-the-lord/

David continues:  “My soul will make its boast in the Lord; The humble will hear it and rejoice.”  The Apostle Paul writes often of boasting in Lord .  Salvation cannot be earned.  It’s a gift from God, and therefore no one can brag about it, except in the Lord!  If one boasts in the Lord, the proud and haughty will ignore it, or deride.  Only the humble will rejoice. 

Further, “O magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together.”  Praise God for Who He is, and praise His holy Name! 

And finally, “I sought the Lord, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.”  David prayed, and God answered him.  David feared for his life, for the King of Israel was seeking his head.  But God answered his prayers, and by faith, his fears were relieved.

What a psalm!  David, in the midst of pursuit by King Saul and thousands of soldiers, takes time to praise God!  He praises God CONTINUOUSLY; he boasts ONLY in God, not in himself; he asks others to praise the Lord with him; and his steadfast faith eliminated all his fears.  David is a model for Jesus followers to emulate.  By being continually in an attitude of prayer and thanksgiving, may our fears be erased! 

Worship: “O Magnify the Lord” by Sandi Patti

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Surrender

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.  (Romans 12:1-2, NASB)

More from Paul from his letter to the Roman church.  He urges the Romans (and us!) “to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”  Treating our bodies in a Godly manner is imperative.  We are a Temple, a Tabernacle where the Holy Spirit lives.  If you’ve called upon the name of the Lord, you’re a dwelling place of the Spirit of God, and we must not defile the Tabernacle of the living God!  The Law of Moses prescribed rules against Tabernacle and Temple defilement, and God commands that we guard against the same with our bodies.  By this we also worship God. 

We need to take care of what goes into our bodies.  Our eyes, ears, nose, and mouth are the doorways to our Temple.  We must care that no immorality, or illicit drugs enter.  We should be careful about what we watch and listen to.  While there is no biblical prohibition against alcohol (this is controversial) the Bible tells us not to get drunk or high.  We must not defile the dwelling place of the Spirit! 

Romans 12:1 Present You Bodies As A Living Sacrifice (gray)
Romans 12:1 image.  Found at Knowing Jesus, https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Romans/12/1

Further, Paul warns us to “not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”  Why?  “So that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”  When we ask Jesus to be the Lord of our life, we are changed.  The world no longer has anything for us.  We’re now citizens of heaven, and that requires a transformation, a renewing of the mind.  We must put away the old, and “put on” the new.  This means paying attention to the things of God, going to church, studying the Bible, and developing a prayer life.  People are watching, and these things reflect new life, a transformation. 

Paul says our lives must change when we follow Jesus.  We have to change the way we live.  Our bodies, where the Holy Spirit lives, become living sacrifices to God.  Further, we have to give up worldly vices, while our minds are transformed.  By doing these things, we show the unsaved world “what the will of God is.”  Changing our lives means total surrender to God!

Worship:  “I Surrender,” by Jesus Culture
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Forgive

When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.  (Luke 23:33-34, NASB)

When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul. They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep.  (Acts 7:58-60, NASB)

To forgive is difficult.  It must be, because Jesus talked about it.  But He also forgave the people who horribly tortured Him, then crucified Him.  He set the example of ultimate forgiveness.  Stephen, the first Christian martyr, followed Jesus’ example. 

When Jesus’ disciples asked Him how they should pray, He answered with what we now know as “The Lord’s Prayer.”  Immediately following, the one point He emphasized was forgiveness.  He said that if we do not learn to forgive others for the wrongs they commit against us, then neither will God forgives.  If you have prayed to ask Jesus Christ to be Lord of your life, then you have been forgiven beyond what you know.  Because God the Father has forgiven us, then so should we forgive others. 

File:St-stephen.jpg
“St. Stephen from The Demidoff Altarpiece,” by Carlo Crivelli, 1476.  Found at Wikipedia Commons, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St-stephen.jpg

Stephen was appointed one of seven men in the early Jerusalem church to serve meals to the widows of Hellenistic Jews, who were being overlooked.  He is described as “a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.”  (Acts 6:1-5)  Stephen upset some men at a local synagogue, who were angry at what he was teaching.  They brought false charges against him and dragged him off before the Temple Council.  (Acts 6:6-15)  Stephen’s defense before the Council was a sermon, which made them even angrier.  (Acts 7:1-56)  As mentioned in the second passage above, they dragged him out of the city to execute him. 

(Saul, later known as Paul, is mentioned as taking part in the stoning.)  But as the stones were raining down on Stephen, he followed the example of his Lord Jesus.  His last act was to forgive:  “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”

Jesus, then Stephen, forgave their tormentors as their final acts.  What wonderful examples to follow!  God has forgiven us; so should we forgive others.  Jesus told us to love God, and love other people.  Forgiveness seems to me to be a product of that love. 

Father, just as you have forgiven me, please help me to forgive those who have wronged me.  Please reveal those who I can’t think of.  Please help me to remember the examples in your holy word of Jesus and Stephen, both of whom suffered far worse than I.  In Jesus’ name I pray. 

Worship:  “Drops In the Ocean,” by Hawk Nelson 

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No Excuse!

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.  (Romans 1:18-23, NASB)

I love the book of Romans.  The Apostle Paul lays out the human condition (we are all sinners, full stop), and the remedy (faith in Christ Jesus).  A portion of the introductory chapter is above, in which Paul begins to make the case that we’re all  naturally evil beings; that despite the evidence all around us, some ignore God Almighty; and we think we’re wise and thus rebel against the Creator of the universe. 

Paul begins by saying that “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.”  There are those people who refuse to recognize the truth about God and His creation, even though God has given us plenty of evidence.  Those will suffer God’s wrath on the day of judgment, and will face eternal separation from God Almighty.  Some argue that it’s negative to speak of the wrath of God, that it’s better to take a more positive approach.  However, the Bible is full of talk of the consequences of unrighteousness.  If a person comes to faith in Jesus Christ to avoid the wrath of God, then that’s OK! 

Romans 1:20

Romans 1:20 image.  Found at DailyVerses.net, https://dailyverses.net/romans/1/20

Paul continues, in that since the beginning of time, God has left a myriad of clues, so that we “are without excuse.”  People ask, “What if someone has never heard of Jesus?”  Paul is saying that there is enough evidence in the creation all around us that should lead one to faith in the Creator.  “His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen . . . ”  From the hymn “How Great Thou Art”:  “I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed.”

Even if people acknowledge God, there are those who don’t “honor Him as God or give thanks.”  Their hearts are darkened, they think they know better than God, and they engage in the worship of worthless idols.  In ancient times, the idols were images “in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.”  Today our idols are anything that takes our attention away from God.  They could be television or work.  Not that there’s anything wrong with those, but if they draw us away from the time we should be spending with our Father, then we should reevaluate how we budget our day. 

The bottom line is we all need Jesus.  “Don’t leave earth without Him!”  We’re all sinners, and God has made a way for us to be reconciled with Him, by sending His Son to earth, that if we believe in Him we’ll have everlasting life in heaven with the Father.  Don’t “[profess] to be wise,” thinking that you know better than God.  We’ve all been there.  God wants to have an intimate relationship with us.  There’s one way to do that. 

Worship:  “I Speak Jesus,” by Charity Gayle

Today is my 68th birthday.  It’s been over four years since my diagnosis of ALS.  My birthday three years ago was my first where I wondered if I would make it to my next.  But God is in control.  He has numbered my days, and apparently I’m not there yet.  Sue has taken such good care of me.  By God’s grace, I’ll be here tomorrow, next week, next month, or next year.  “If God allows . . . “

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Glory

The Lord said to Moses, “I will also do this thing of which you have spoken; for you have found favor in My sight and I have known you by name.” Then Moses said, “I pray You, show me Your glory!” And He said, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the Lord before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.” But He said, “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!” Then the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock; and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. Then I will take My hand away and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen.”  (Exodus 33:17-23, NASB)

The Bible passage above is Moses’ account of his encounter with the Glory of God in the wilderness by Mount Horeb (Sinai).  The setting:  Moses had been up on Mount Sinai for forty days and nights, neither eating nor drinking, meeting with God.  Among their agenda was God writing the Ten Commandments with His finger on stone tablets.  The Israelites wondered where Moses was, and if he was alive or dead, and rebelled by having Aaron fashion a golden calf for them to worship.  God saw what was going on, got angry, and sent Moses down from the mountain to deal with the rebellious people.  Moses became angry with the people, and smashed the stone tablets.  (Exodus 32)

God then tells Moses to lead the people to the Promised Land, but He would not accompany them.  Moses went to meet with God outside the Israelite camp at the tent of meeting.  Moses interceded for the people, pleading with God to travel with His people.  The text above picks up from there.  (Exodus 33:1-16)

Moses wants to know God better, and to lead the people to their final destination.  God tells Moses He will do so, as “you have found favor in My sight and I have known you by name.”  Wow!  Oh, to have the Creator of the Universe say that I have found favor in His sight, and He knows me by name.  Actually, since Jesus is in me, it’s true! 

Exodus 33:22 The Glory Of God (devotional)07:14 (brown)
Exodus 33:22 image.  Found at Knowing Jesus, https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Exodus/33/22

Moses then asks his Friend, “Show me Your glory.”  God tells Moses that He will do so, but He can’t show Moses His face, “for no man can see Me and live!”  God tells Moses to stand “there on the rock; and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. Then I will take My hand away and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen.”

We can find favor in God’s sight, and have Him know us by name.  How?  By believing in His Son, Jesus.  Once we’ve come to faith in Him, He becomes our Advocate with the Father.  Instead of our faces, God looks at us and sees Jesus.  We can also see God’s glory.  I see it whenever I look out my window at His glorious creation!  Blue sky,  trees, plants and flowers.  I also see it whenever someone walks into my room.  Each person is an image-bearer of God.  Created in His image!  God, please show me Your glory! 

Worship:  “Show Me Your Glory,” by Jesus Culture, ft. Kim Walker-Smith
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Blessing

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, ‘Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them: The Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.’ So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them.”  (Numbers 6:22-27, NASB)

The text above contains “The Aaronic Blessing,” or “Aaron’s Benediction.”  Aaron, the brother of Moses, was chosen along with his sons by God to be high priests to Israel as they wandered through the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land.  This portion is just one of many instructions (613 commandments) given by God to Moses, and recorded in the first five books of the Old Testament, the Book of Moses. 

You’ve no doubt heard these words before.  Many clergy use these verses as benedictions.  The words contained herein are some of the nicest things one human being can say to a fellow image-bearer of God!  “The Lord bless you, and keep you.”  I don’t think there’s anything better than to wish God’s blessings on someone.  If God makes one happy, that’s the ultimate, especially if it’s God that is the source of joy.  If God is keeping you, that means He is Protector.  There is no better source of joy and protection than my God! 

The Lord Bless You and Keep You
Numbers 6:24 image.  Found at Godtube, https://www.godtube.com/popular-hymns/the-lord-bless-you-and-keep-you

“The Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you.”  Wishing God to smile at you is a fine compliment.  How is God gracious to us?  He sent Jesus, His Son, so that if we believe in Him, we will have everlasting life in fellowship with Him!  Jesus took the punishment we all deserve for our sins.  That’s the ultimate in grace! 

“The Lord lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.”  Wishing God’s good graces on you, and His Shalom!  What could be better?  God’s Shalom is perfect peace, not the “peace” we humans consider.  It denotes a sense of well-being, of perfect calm.  In a word, it’s “Indescribable!”

Last, there is God’s promise when Aaron and his sons deliver this blessing on the people of Israel:  “So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them.”  Perhaps this was God’s way of making sure Israel remembered Him.  He had been warning them of the consequences of forgetting Him, and following worthless idols.  Invoking His name on the congregation by the priests would serve as a reminder that they were to love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, and might, and to love Him only.  In turn, He would bless them! 

The Aaronic Blessing might be the ultimate expression of God’s love for us.  He said that when the priests of Israel delivered it, He would bless them.  The Blessing translates to us today.  It wishes God to bless us; to protect us; to give us grace; and finally, to give us peace!  What more could we ask from the Creator of the universe, Who loves us so? 

Worship:  “The Blessing,” by Kari Jobe, ft. Cody Carnes