Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – July 29, 2014
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26
Our soul starves for blessing from our heavenly Father. He made us to desire His blessing. God’s blessing is an affirmation of His love and approval. It is a deep, abiding sense that we are secure in His presence. The glow of the Lord’s glory reflects on a countenance blessed by Christ. Indeed, the face of the faithful is an imperfect but peaceful image of our gracious Savior, Jesus. A child of God, blessed by God, rests secure in His favor. His delicious blessing feeds our soul.
Moreover, as followers of Jesus, we are in the blessing business. We can bless strangers with our kind words or curse them with our cutting remarks. We can bless a child with a look of love or curse them with a glare. We can bless our spouse with a smile or curse them with a snarl. We can bless an enemy with a prayer of forgiveness or curse them with a prayer of retribution. We can bless a leader with an understanding of God’s wisdom or curse them for their worldly ways. Without our blessing, those who love us feel unloved. We love souls as we bless them in Jesus’ name.
“May those who curse you be cursed and those who bless you be blessed” (Genesis 27:29).
Furthermore, we are blessed when we seek to bless another. The blessing first comes from our heavenly Father, the knowledge that we have pleased Him. Our soul is filled having filled our Father’s heart. There is no greater joy than for God’s people to be bearers of His blessing. It is not just formal prayer reserved for Sunday, rather it is a moment by moment opportunity waiting for one sensitive soul to bless another sensitive soul. We become more like Jesus as we bless like Jesus.
Who needs to hear you pray a blessing over them? Perhaps a student off to the university for the first time, a couple beginning the great adventure of marriage, an innocent infant with a lifetime ahead, or an elderly friend facing their final dance. Pray a blessing of hospitality over a new home or bless a family on their way to live in another city. A soul blessed by God is like a vegetable garden, tilled, planted and well watered. It bears a bountiful harvest of blessing beyond its influence.
“The Lord bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier” (Ruth 3:10).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, use me to bless the souls of those I encounter in everyday life.
Related Readings: Ruth 2:4; 1 Samuel 2:20; Malachi 3:12; Acts 3:25-26; 2 Corinthians 9:8
Post/Tweet today: We are in the blessing business. We love souls when we bless them in Jesus’
name. #wisdomhunters
Additional Resource: Bless the Lord worship video- http://bit.ly/1pnuXtC
Free eBook when you invite 5 friends to the free email devotional…https://www.wisdomhunters.com/invite-your-friends/
