“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

When we say goodbye to family and friends there are many common words and phrases we use to wish each other well. Sometimes it’s, “safe travels” or “good luck” or “have fun” or the popular “have a nice day.” We often end our emails with similar well wishes like, “be well” or “all the best” or “peace.”  All of these are nice things to say, but we should also consider the opportunity these situations present to invoke God’s blessing.

In today’s verses, that’s what God commanded Moses to have the priests do. They were to use God’s name in blessing the people. We can too. “God bless you” or “the Lord bless you” are closing salutations we should use often with our family members, friends, and other people with whom we cross paths. When I get out of a cab I often say, “God bless you” to the driver, and more often than not I get a genuine “Thank you, and God bless you too” in return.  It’s the same with other people I meet or interact with in the course of my daily activities.

Blessing others in the name of God also motivates me to more consciously pray for them and their families. I want to consider the words of Numbers 6:24-26 and pray them for the people God has put in my life. It’s incredible to think about what we’re asking God to do. We’re asking the creator of the universe to take care of them, to give his personal attention to them, and to treat them with favor and to give them peace. Consciously blessing each other in God’s name is a step toward fulfilling God’s command to “Love our neighbors.”

Will you be ready for opportunities God gives you today to bless others in his name?

May God bless you and your family today and always!