There are at least 169 verses in the Bible that refer to the ways God provides for us, but all of His provision is anchored in a single determination – His blessing:
Numbers 6:24: “The Lord bless you and keep you.”
See how the benediction begins in v. 24 – “The Lord bless you…” This is very intimate: “The Lord…you…”, and He has so very wonderfully blessed us in Christ (Ephesians 1:3: “Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ.”) It would be impossible to count all the spiritual blessings which He has given: pardon (Luke 7:48); peace (John 14:27); love (John 15:9); eternal life (1 John 5:12); joy (John 15:11); and heaven at the end of the journey (Revelation 21:4). But He has not only blessed us with spiritual blessings; He has showered us with temporal blessings too, and we must not forget these. They include the measure of health we have been given, and most of us have work to occupy us, a home to enjoy, loved ones, friends and so on. It is important to remember that the Lord’s blessing does not only consist of prosperity; it consists also of adversity and, as it has been rightly said, ‘Prosperity is the blessing of the Old Testament, and adversity is the blessing of the New Testament’. When adversity comes it is in order to bring us nearer to the Lord, to perfect His will in us and to conform us, ultimately, to be in His Son’s likeness (Proverbs 10:22; Romans 8:29).
In v. 24 it goes on to say, “The Lord bless you and keep you…” Again notice the intimacy of this: “The Lord…you…” and what a wonderful Keeper He is! We are guarded every moment of every day by omnipotent power, so we need not be fearful, anxious or apprehensive. He is the Lord our Keeper (John 17:12); He is able and ready to keep us from sin (1 Peter 1:3-5); to keep us from falling (Jude 24); and to keep us safely until the end of the journey (Psalm 73:24). For a real boost read Psalm 121, which speaks about the safety of those who put their trust in God’s protection.
In v. 25 we read, “The Lord make his face shine upon you…”, and in v. 26, “The Lord turn his face towards you.” Notice the intimacy again: “The Lord…you…” This part of the benediction means two things: 1) that we have the smile of God resting upon us. God is not frowning or looking angrily at us. He is showing His favor. He always hates our sin, but how greatly He loves us (Jeremiah 31:3); 2) it means that His beauty is reflected upon us. We have no beauty of our own, but through our union with Him we reflect His grace and His loveliness, like Moses (Exodus 34:29); like Stephen (Acts 6:15); and like the Savior Himself (Matthew 17:2). This can and should be true of all who love and belong to the Lord (Psalm 90:17; 2 Corinthians 3:18).
In v. 25 it goes on to read: “and be gracious to you.” God’s grace is His unmerited favor towards those who do not deserve anything at all from Him. We do not deserve anything; but God gives us everything, and when we consider His loving and kindly dealings with us, how is it that we are not more gracious? Sometimes we are filled with unkind thoughts, we speak unkind words, and we give unkind looks and we engage in unkind actions. How contrary this is to our Lord’s will for us (Ephesians 4:31-32), especially as were so underserving in the first place.
In v. 26 the benediction ends with the words, “The Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace.” This is the crowning blessing. The Lord’s gracious plan and provision for us all is that we should know His peace flooding our hearts and minds (Isaiah 26:3; Philippians 4:7).
It only remains for us to take this five-fold blessing, or benediction, from the Lord Himself; but let’s do it not only once but every day, and let’s rejoice that we have such a wonderful God, such a glorious Savior and such a gracious Holy Spirit who indwells us!