An on-the-job blessing
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"'May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace'" (Numbers 6:24-26).
When God blessed Abraham and told him how he would bless the whole world through him (Genesis 12:1-3), he set a pattern and an expectation for how he relates to all people everywhere. God is much more interested in blessing people than cursing them. His first move is always marked by love and grace. His kindness is extravagant. His mercy is greater than all our sin.
A new day has arrived. Our Father in heaven meets us here and provides all we need for our moments and our days.
These are the words God gave Aaron and the priests to pronounce over the people. Notice how these three sentences of blessing begin with the name God gave Moses at the burning bush. See how the blessing uses God's covenant name followed by two verbs that extend the blessing.
May the LORD bless you and protect you.
May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you.
May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.
The LORD blesses us and protects us.
The LORD smiles on us and is gracious to us.
The LORD shows us his favor and gives us his peace.
A local comedy group provides training for business leaders. Their signature move is to teach people how to say "Yes and" rather than "Yes but." You can find this kind of thinking in books and YouTube videos. It's good to remember whose idea it was long, long ago.
God is a Yes And God.
Psalm 67:1, 2 helps us understand how this blessing is not just for us. Like Abraham, we are blessed to bless others. The blessing we receive from God is not to be hoarded but to be shared. God never runs out of blessings. We should never be stingy.
You are blessed today. Go be a blessing. Stand under God's overflowing generosity and refresh others as you go.
It might be good to commit these words to memory. You may need to remember them sometime soon. You may need to speak them to others.
Our Father, we are among the most blessed people who have ever lived. Make us blessings to others. As you have so richly, extravagantly blessed us in every way, extend your blessing through us to those who need your grace, love, mercy, and kindness. Amen.
 | David Bowman, (DMin, PCC) is the Executive Director of Tarrant Baptist Association in Fort Worth, Texas. He also serves as a Multiplying Trainer for Future Church Co. Learn More » |
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- How to communicate clearly as a leader: the 3-part framework you need (by Jenni Catron)
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