"The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
and give you peace."
-Numbers 6:24-26
In this familiar benediction, God's blesses Aaron and his sons through Moses. Today, hear it as though God is speaking to you. Pay attention to the words. Feel the abundant grace and glory of it. Accept it as God's promise to you. There are three sentences, with two blessings in each.
"The Lord bless you and keep you." To bless is to favor, to demonstrate grace toward. To keep is to protect and maintain as part of the family.
"The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you." God shines on you with joy. And pours out kindness-gracious favor-on you.
"The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace." God looks on you as a loving parent beams over a child. The Lord provides you with the peace-that sense of wellbeing and rightness-that you need to face the day.
Hear God speaking to you today. And accept the love, care, and grace that surround these words.