Today Christians all over the world will gather to worship God. Many will receive a closing blessing in worship through the words that Aaron and his sons spoke over Israel: "The LORD bless you and keep you. . . ."

What is this blessing that God puts on us? First, we receive the blessing of God's protection and keeping. This is something we need in the wilderness of life. Life is full of trials, heat, hunger, and death. How good it is to hear God say that he will keep us! Second, we receive the blessing of God's pardon. Another way of saying that God's face shines on us is to say that his face lights up with delight. This is true because of Jesus. His face shines on us in grace. Third, we receive the blessing of God's peace. When our face is turned away from someone else, it is often a sign of tension. But when our face is turned toward another, it is a sign of peace. God's blessing on us is that his face will be turned in our direction so that we will know peace with him.

We must remember that these are not wishes but blessings. In other words, they are true for us because of Christ. In Jesus Christ, we are kept, forgiven, and restored to peace with God.

Receive and believe his blessings today!