January 1st, 2024

Today is January 1

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.  

Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”   
  
Today’s reading is from the book of Numbers, chapter 6.


The Lord said to Moses,  “Tell Aaron and his sons,‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites." Say to them: “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. So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”


In the Old Testament, the act of priestly blessing was a sacred thing. A priest would stand above the people, stretch his arms over them, and speak the blessing of God over God’s people. The picture we hear in these words should call to mind favor, and blessing, and kindness. The Psalmist echos this lean when he wrote about God: “You INCLINED and heard my cry”. Consider for a moment, this first day of the new year, what it means that God’s blessing toward you is His own inclination to draw near to you? Can you quiet your heart, and turn your attention toward God to receive His presence this new year?
  
Listen again and pay attention to the words that the Lord gave Moses for Aaron. Words like: blessing, keeping, shining, graciousness, peace. As you listen to this short text, imagine yourself standing ‘under the blessing’ of God.
  
Many people start a new year with thoughts of resolutions: what is it that we can do for ourselves? Instead, consider entering this year asking God simply for the grace to remain under His blessing. We are, as the hymn goes, ‘prone to wander, prone to leave the one I love’. Can you, this new year, ask God for strength, faith, and conviction to simply remain under His grace? To be constant recipients and givers of His peace? As we end our time of prayer, I’d encourage you to pray and offer your obedience this year to the Lord, and ask for both his leadership as well as His blessing.

Music Credit:
"Shalom" - Vineyard Worship (YouTube)