Numbers 6:22-27 NLT
22 Then the Lord said to Moses,
23 “Tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing:
24 ‘May the Lord bless you and keep you.
25 May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.
26 May the Lord show you his favour and give you his peace.’
27 Whenever Aaron and his sons bless the people of Israel in my name, I myself will bless them.”
This blessing is often spoken or sung at church services and we are used to the idea of being blessed by God and we are thankful.
V24b says the Lord will KEEP us. Think of the ways He has kept you during 2022 (‘Keep’ means to watch over, to guard, protect and preserve).
But we also need to do our bit by staying close to God. This blessing was spoken by the priests over the people of God only a year after they had left Egypt. (Numbers 1v1). Yet by chapter 14 v21-24, it was all falling part.
We too must not be complacent or harden our hearts. We need to stay faithful as well as trusting God to keep us. Pray that the Lord will keep you close and encourage others to do the same.
(Jude v1, 21 + 24)
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