Saturday Reflection – 18 September 2021
Saturday Reflection – 18 September 2021
“The Lord makes his face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you.” Numbers 6:25
Today’s watchword forms a part of the Benediction, that as Moravians, we are accustomed to hearing after the Lord’s Supper, Baptism, and after a Ministerial Candidate has been commissioned, ordained, or consecrated to a form of ministry. This priestly benediction was given to Moses by Almighty God, which he then gave as a blessing on Aaron and his sons, and to all the Israelites. And in this blessing the gracious presence of the Lord, that does not bring judgement or condemnation, but reflects the love of Jesus on our lives, and marks us as His beloved.
When we consider this priestly benediction we hear Matthew Henry in his commentary saying “To be under the almighty protection of God our Saviour; to enjoy his favour as the smile of a loving Father, or as the cheering beams of the sun; while he mercifully forgives our sins, supplies our wants, consoles the heart, and prepares us by his grace for eternal glory; these things form the substance of this blessing, and the sum total of all blessings.” And this is important, because many times, we only consider blessing to be material, completely ignoring the grace, mercy, and favour that he bestows upon us as his children. And it is this grace, mercy, and favour, contained in the blessing that not only puts us in a good position to receive all that God has purposed for our lives, but is valued more than anything material, which certainly would be fickle and fleeting. No one else can give to us, can speak to us, can place in our lives that which God can give, can speak, or can do. Not only do we live, and move and have our being in Him, and without Him we are nothing and can do nothing, but we are reminded that “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” and “… we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.” (St. Matthew 7:11; 2 Corinthians 4:18)
It is just as Jesus told us, that God knows that we have physical needs, and continues to provide just as He does for the birds of the air and the lilies of the field. But this blessing reminds us that even these things which are unseen are much more valuable to us. Furthermore, by these blessings, we will meet all our physical needs and desires as according to God’s will and purpose for our lives. So, we need not run down the things that are fickle and fleeting, but seek God and His righteousness, for then will all other things be added to us. I want to note here, that many times we come to God, seeking Him and His righteousness, with a specific plan or desire in mind, and many times we find that after a while, we recognize that the particular path is not one we find appealing or even though we thought that this was what we wanted, we recognize that it is no longer what we need. Coming to God changes our perspective, as we once were spiritually blind, now with the help of the Holy Spirit, our will becomes one with God and is the best for our lives. That my brothers and sisters, is a blessing! And finally, we are not blessed by what we have, but blessed by what we are. Saved and Sanctified, Holy-Ghost filled, Water baptized with Jesus on our mind. Declared blessed by Him. And with this blessing, favour, guidance, and journeying presence of the Lord, our Master and Chief Elder, the One with the world in His hands, who works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. Interestingly, it is three times that the Lord is repeated. It is the blessing of the Three in One; the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship and communion of the Holy Spirit the Comforter.
Until next week, “The Lord bless you and keep you, The Lord makes His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you, The Lord lift up the light of His countenance upon you and give you peace.” And we response by singing “In the name of Jesus, Amen.”
Dominic J. Blair