Today's daily devotion

The Blessing of Peace

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”—NUMBERS 6:24–26 NIV

These verses are the priestly blessing God told Moses to instruct the priests to give to the people. This beautiful gift from God is a taste of heaven to carry us through until we get there. The word “peace” here is the Hebrew shalom. Here shalom carries its full meaning of more than peace, but also rightness, well-being, and wholeness.

The repetition of the Lord’s name leaves no doubt as to who is doing the blessing. And no doubt as to the One to whom we belong.

When God blesses us, He beams proudly at us like a father with his child. He wants us to have a close, personal relationship with Him. And when our relationship with Him is right, we have that all-encompassing peace, the peace Paul tells us in Philippians 4:7 passes all understanding.

When God blesses us, other people notice. How are we telling others of His goodness to us? How are we using His deeds to encourage other believers and point nonbelievers to Christ?

Heavenly Father, Your blessing us with Your peace is beyond our ability to understand. You walk with us through all of life’s difficult circumstances. We thank You for Your goodness toward us. Help us remember to share with others what You have done. Amen.

Adapted from