PBPC Advent Devotional, Week 2 - Thursday
Week Two – Peace
Thursday
Numbers 6:24-26
24 The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. (NRSV)
God gave this blessing to the early Israelite priests and told them to speak it over the people. God told the priests to pray that he would give the people peace. To this day, many churches and synagogues end their services with this blessing.
Imagine God's face shining upon you. He must have smile-crinkled eyes in order to shine. He is looking you in the eye and delighting in you. Receive his peace. Bask in his delight for as long as you like.
Daily Practice
Find a piece of yellow paper and cut a circle out of it. (Or use white paper if you must.) Sketch a face on it. Tape it up on the side of your mirror. When you see it, remember God's face shining delight and peace upon you. Think of someone you know whom you could bless this day – with a phone call, card, gift, act of service. Take an action to be God's blessing to him or her.