Beyond the Weekend

January 19 | Giving a Blessing

January 19, 2023

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you,” Numbers 6:25

Read: Numbers 6:22-27
Listen:
Numbers 6

TODAY’S MESSAGE

“Blessing” isn’t a word often used today. What does Peter actually mean when saying to give your enemy a blessing instead of a curse? Blessing is a common word in the Old Testament and centers on the extreme goodness of God and his desire to nurture and protect his people. When God leads Israel out of Egypt, he tells Moses to instruct his brother Aaron, and his sons, who are priests, to tell the people, “Whenever Aaron and his sons bless the people of Israel in my name, I myself will bless them” (Numbers 6:27 NLT). A blessing from God means one has his loving protection and prosperity. To bless another is to desire their well-being.

Likewise, when we bless someone, it means we desire good things for them. Since God is compassionate and gracious, we are to follow his example. It could be a prayer for God to bless that person who continually insults us, a kind word to someone cruel to a family member or taking a meal to the person who has spread gossip about us and just had surgery. Giving a blessing to those who hurt us should be a habit we develop.

You may not feel like giving a blessing, but God doesn’t turn a blind eye when you do. It shows God you trust him to deal with that person how he wants to. And it allows you to express his extreme goodness.

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

Pray, “Father God, I want to be like you—merciful, kind and loving to those who hurt me. Forgive me for wanting to get even with _____________ for _____________. Soften my heart and show me how to be kind. Help me continually think of them as you do. Help me to make giving a blessing a habit. Amen.”


2023 SPIRITUAL PRACTICES

Join us all of 2023 developing a different spiritual practice each month. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES are intentional regular activities to deepen our relationship with God and mold us to be more like Jesus.

January is BIBLE READING. Keep track of our spiritual practices at beyondtheweekend.org/spiritualpractices.

 


Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.

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