Gleanings for December 29

BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS

Numbers 6: 23 – 27 NKJV: “This is the way you shall bless the people: Say to them: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.”

That scripture is a blessing that many Pastors close their service with on Sunday. Once again I am grateful for the “footnotes” found in many Bibles. Here is a quotation from one which will give added meaning to the above prayer:

“TO BLESS” means an increase in prosperity because Yahweh will keep the worshiper from harm.

“MAKE HIS FACE SHINE UPON YOU implies taking pleasure in the worshiper, with the result that the Lord will be GRACIOUS or favorable to the worshiper.”

“LIFT UP HIS COUNTENANCE UPON YOU, (or the side margin says: “look upon you with favor”) is similar to making His face shine—which results in PEACE, the provision of all things necessary for the well-being of the recipient.”

Those are beautiful words to think about as the year draws to a close. It is God’s purpose to bless His children. This brings to mind a passage of scripture I have referred to before but it is so special it bears repeating:

II Peter 1: 2 – 4: “Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. For His divine power has given to us all things necessary for life and godliness as we come to KNOW HIM Who has called us unto His own glory and excellence.

“Through this knowledge there has been granted us great and precious promised blessings, so that by means of those blessings you might become sharers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption in the world that arises from passion.”

Words fail us when we try to thank God for His love and care. An old Hymn says:

O for a thousand tongues to sing, my great Redeemer’s praise,

The glories of my God and King, the triumphs of His grace.

My gracious Master and my God, assist me to proclaim;

To spread through all the earth abroad, the honors of Your Name.

Jesus! The name that charms our fears, that bids our sorrows cease;

“Tis music in the sinner’s ears, ‘Tis life, and health, and peace.

He breaks the power of cancelled sin; He sets the prisoner free;

His blood can make the foulest clean; His blood availed for me.

Hear Him, you deaf; His praise, you dumb, your loosened tongues employ;

You blind, behold your Savior come; and leap, you lame, FOR JOY!!!

THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH!!!