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July 14

Blessings

“I pray that the LORD will bless and protect you, and that he will show you mercy and kindness. May the LORD be good to you and give you peace.”

Numbers 6:24-26 (CEV)

Did you grow up in a home where ‘The Blessing’ was said before every meal? I did. It was a specific prayer that we said every meal, every day. And that is OK except by the time I was old enough to understand the prayer it had become such a ’habit’ that I didn’t listen and ask the blessing from my heart. My mother had set the example but I didn’t follow. It’s wonderful to see my children encourage my grandchildren to pray their own blessings. I got an ‘eaves-dropping’ recording from my daughter the other night. My granddaughter was praying before she went to sleep...doing her “...and God bless...” She was praying specifically for her “Uncle John” that he would do well in a baseball game he was going to pitch in her home town the next night. He was on her heart because she was going to see him soon. At one point, I think her daddy was helping her with some words and she said, “Stop, Daddy! You’re messing up my prayer!” We have all laughed at that but it certainly preaches to all of us. Remember how Jesus told us to have the faith of a child? May we remember that God hears the prayer of our hearts (even if words fail us!) and answers well!

A blessing is a prayer that leaves out manipulation and personal agenda and instead asks God to pour out His gifts upon His child (or children). The example of this prayer given by God to Moses and addressed to the Levites asks for such good stuff ! When praying for someone no matter what the specific need, including these elements is asking for a double blessing, isn’t it? When someone has, say, a health need, lifting that need to God and being specific as the Holy Sprit leads and then asking God to protect and show mercy and kindness and goodness and cover that person with His peace – that is truly asking God to give more than they could ask or imagine!

[Jesus said,] “But I tell you who hear : love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.”

Luke 6:27-28 (WEB)

Jesus’ words are never – careless. He always says what He means. I may not always understand it the way Jesus means but maybe His first phrase here gives me a clue about that! “You who hear me.” Do I want to hear what Jesus says? In this case, the words that I have heard and received about ‘blessings’ even goes for those people in my life who hate me, dislike me, irritate me, bug me, and even mistreat those I love. Yes, do I really want to hear that?

[Jesus said,] If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive back as much. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, even as your Father is also merciful.

Luke 6:32-36 (WEB)

Jesus asks more of me. Jesus gives more to me. He gives me all that I need to be obedient and glorify the Father. It comes down to a choice on my part. It comes down to my flesh. There aren’t many in the ’enemy’ category, thank my Lord, but they do exist. What healing, what joy, what heavenly peace comes to me when I make the choice and ask the Holy Spirit to give me what I need so I can pray blessings over all!