Shepastor: “Don’t Leave Before the Benediction, Part IV”

This week, Shepastor completes our reflection upon aspects of the words that the Lord spoke to Moses to give to the Priest Aaron and his sons as a blessing over Israel. These verses are known as the “Priestly Benediction.”

Our focus for today highlights the last and 5th aspect of this blessing, “And give you peace…”

God told Aaron and his sons to bless his people with peace. There is nothing like having peace…peace of mind, peace of heart, peace of spirit. It does not matter how many material things you have, how much money you have, how many people say that you are the best thing since sliced bread, if you don’t have peace of mind, peace with God and peace with yourself, you will perpetually remain in the desert! When you leave before the good word, the word of blessing, the word of hope, the word of instruction, the word of deliverance, you miss out on God’s blessing of peace. All of the above aspects of the blessing lead ultimately to God’s peace.

When we understand that even in the desert, the Lord is blessing and keeping us, we will walk in peace. When we understand that the Lord’s favor, grace, mercy and compassion is upon us, we will live in peace. When we humble ourselves, yield ourselves, submit ourselves to the way, the Word and the will of our heavenly Father, we embrace God’s likeness – His countenance upon us and we will walk in God’s peace.

The Lord will keep us in perfect peace when our mind remains on Him. The Lord will give us peace that surpasses understanding when we corral our thoughts and bring them under subjection to the obedience of Christ. Peace comes as we resist the temptation to lean on our own understanding and instead trust God. When we acknowledge God in all of our ways God will direct our paths. When we wait for the Lord’s Word – His word of blessing, His word of guidance, His word of hope, His word of correction, His word of love, we will be blessed – even during desert seasons.

In every season, yes, even in seasons of pain, disappointment, struggle and dearth, God can and will bless us with peace. But we must yield ourselves to Him. Don’t leave before you get your blessing! Stay right there in God’s presence. Stay right there in God’s appointed place. Stay right there and don’t move until the Holy Spirit gives the green light! Don’t check out. Don’t go AWOL (Absent without leave), wait on the Lord. Be of good courage. God will strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord!

Post a comment or send me an email at Revcsmith1@gmail.com

Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris
www.shepastorchris.org