SEARCHLIGHT
Do you know how to offer people hope and assurance?
SCRIPTURE
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel, with this special 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.’ Numbers 4:22-26 NLT
SPOTLIGHT
Fear, sadness, anxiety and depression regarding her family, were dominating Kari Jobe’s life before God broke through to her in a special way. One of her children almost drowned. She learned how to declare God’s promises over her family and herself. That is a short backstory to the worship song entitled “The Blessing” which she helped compose along with her husband, Cody and Elevation Church worship leaders.
“The Blessing” is a powerful song written as a prayer for families. Take a moment to listen to it. The song encourages parents to pray for their children knowing that God wants to bless them. Based on today’s Scripture focus from Numbers 6:22-26, the song was composed and first sung just before the United States was shut down due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Quickly, it gained popularity around the world. As someone put it, “…it became a source of comfort and encouragement during a time of uncertainty.” And Kari learned how to pray for her family.
Many people have difficulty praying to God. They do not know what to say or how to say it. Think about this. Imagine yourself coming into the presence of a very powerful or prominent person. Perhaps it is Queen Elizabeth. I know I would be asking people what to say and also how to correctly say it.
In today’s Scripture focus, God wanted His people to know He wanted to bless them. So He gave instruction as to how to pray for people. And the good news is that God has not changed. Today you need to pray what God tells you to pray! Here are 2 things you need to know and 3 things you need to declare:
- Know this! You are not to exclude yourself from praying this prayer. Do not forget this! You may feel unqualified to pray this prayer because you have heard your pastor pray it so many times at the conclusion of Sunday worship services. God, through Moses, instructed Aaron and his sons to pray blessing over the people. Aaron was a high priest. However, since Jesus Christ came to earth, the Bible says that all believers are royal priests. [1 Peter2:9] Because you have made Jesus Christ your personal Savior and Lord, you have the privilege to declare God’s blessing over family and friends. You do not need a pastor or priest to pray this prayer. Jesus gives you the wonderful privilege to declare God’s blessing.
- Know this! God is the source of all blessings. Do not forget this! People sing the Doxology which begins with the words “Praise God from whom all blessings flow…” This is so very true! Never ever forget that God is the source of all the good things in your life. Three times God uses His name to say “The Lord bless…; The Lord make…The Lord lift…” And three times God uses the personal word “you.” God wants you to know that He bestows blessings and that He wants to bless you. God wants to give good gifts to you. [Matthew 7:11; James 1:17]
God guarantees blessing for you because that is who He is. The very nature of God’s character means that God bestows on you wonderful blessings. There are over 80 references in the Bible that identify God is good and wants to bless you. Psalm 84:11 states, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those who walk is blameless.” [NIV] God loves to give so you can fully live!
- Declare God’s blessing: “May God bless you and keep you.” [6:24] No business can offer a better plan. You are praying people would experience God’s provision and protection.
- Declare God’s smile: “May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious to you.” [6:25] No family member’s smile can be more pleasing than God’s. You are praying people would realize that God is smiling at them and loves them for many reasons. God longs for them to experience a Godly, meaningful life [Proverbs 16:15], be overwhelmed with God’s unfailing love [Psalm 31:16], receive the mercy and grace of God [Psalm 67:1] and experience personal salvation [Psalm 80:3,7,19]
- Declare God’s attention: “May God turn His face toward you and give you peace.” [6:26] No friend’s personal attention can be more personal than God’s. You are praying people would realize that God is paying attention to them. He is looking directly at them and attentively listening to them when they pray. [Psalm 34:4,5] When people seek God, they are never disappointed. God looks, listens and answers their prayers. He blesses seekers with His peace that is beyond comprehension. [Philippians 4:7] Living with God’s peace is incomparable.
SOMETHING TO DO
The Jewish people had been wandering in the wilderness for many years and desperately needed God to intervene in their lives. You know people who are wandering and desperate. Have a passion to pray over people God’s blessing of intervention.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Lord God, I want to thank you for your blessings that are so numerous and new every morning. May your favor come upon my family and children, and their children, and their children. And may Your presence go before them, behind them, beside them and all around them. In the morning and evening, in their coming and going and their weeping and rejoicing. For I know and declare that You, Lord God, are for them. Yes, You are! AMEN!