2:19) and “be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom. Our firm foundation is found in our heavenly Father, Who knows how to protect all those who are His! But He also calls for those who petition His keeping power to “depart from iniquity” (2 Tim. In our Lord’s model prayer, He taught His disciples to seek deliverance from evil or the evil one (Matt. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.” The Lord is your keeper … the Lord will keep you from all evil he will keep your life. Psalm 121 proclaims the Lord as Israel’s keeper, even as He is ours: “Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The full petition is, “The Lord bless you and keep you …” He is being asked to keep or guard His people from the enemy, who wants to steal, kill and destroy these blessings from God. Linked to God’s provided blessings are His protection and keeping-power. Besides the basics-food, shelter, clothing, family, love, healthy bodies and meaningful work-He knows what we truly need and what may be unnecessary things that we may want because we think they’ll make us happy. Jesus taught that our heavenly Father “knows what you need before you ask” (Matt. He is the giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:7). God may use any or none of these to process the blessing, but it is the Lord God Almighty, our Creator and sustainer to Whom we pray. We are not asking a human parent nor a politician not our employer nor a human agency. (Numbers 6:22-27)Īs we would petition for God’s blessing and favor to be upon us, we must focus on Whom we are asking. The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, This is how you will bless the children of Israel, saying to them, “The Lord bless you and keep you the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you the Lord lift His countenance upon you, and give you peace.” They will put My name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them. The prescribed blessing begins as a petition, moves to a plea for protection, then underscores God’s presence and ends by seeking a pardon. We should receive them with joy and gratitude! But God wanted the Israelites (and us) to understand His priorities-what matters most to the heart of God. There is nothing wrong with enjoying the practical blessings of the Lord.
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