The Lord Bless You and Keep You Numbers 6:24-26 Devotional

In this Numbers 6:24-26 Devotional, we’ll see a vision of God smiling down on us in our time of need. It’s a beautiful picture of our loving Heavenly Father and the grace He provides. He takes pleasure in the well-being of His people, and He wants to bestow blessings on us. May the truth of this Bible verse fill your heart with His goodness today!

Numbers 6:24-26 is one of the most well-known blessings in the Bible, often called the Aaronic blessing or the priestly blessing. It’s a passage filled with divine favor and spiritual richness that speaks deeply to God’s heart for His people. This blessing, first spoken to the children of Israel, continues to be a beautiful reminder of God’s presence in our lives and His desire to bless and keep us even today.

The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26 NKJV

What is the Meaning of Numbers 6:24-26?

Numbers 6:24-26 is often referred to as the prayer of blessing or the old priestly benediction, and it carries significant spiritual weight. Found in the book of Numbers, it was originally given by God to Moses. It was meant to be spoken over the people of Israel by the priests. This timeless blessing is packed with meaning, and its opening line of this blessing reveals the tender care of our Heavenly Father, “The Lord bless you and keep you.”

This blessing is more than just good words, it represents God’s desire for His people to receive not only material and spiritual blessings but also divine protection. It’s a reminder of the power of God to provide and sustain, giving us good things in our daily lives. Whether in the Old Testament times when the nation of Israel was moving toward the Promised Land, or for Christians today facing a modern world with all of its challenges, these verses are a source of hope and peace.

The Lord Bless You

The first line of the blessing of God starts with “The Lord bless you,” a simple yet powerful statement. To bless in this context comes from the Hebrew word “barak,” meaning to give favor or good things. When God blesses, He bestows divine blessings that go beyond what we can imagine.

This blessing of His people was originally given to the people of Israel through Aaron, the high priest and the Aaronic priesthood. But through Christ Jesus, we’re also included in God’s blessings. The idea of the Lord blessing you isn’t just about receiving worldly things, it’s about having God’s favor in your life, a sense of His presence, and the smile of God over you. This blessing is one of God’s words that brings comfort to our hearts, knowing we’re always under His care.

You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.

The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.

Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed.

You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.

Deuteronomy 28:3-6 NIV

The Lord Keep You

Next, the blessing continues with “The Lord keep you.” The word “keep” here is all about God’s protection. It’s a promise of safety, security, and divine protection over our lives. Just as the children of Israel needed protection during their journey through the wilderness, we also need God to keep us in our daily lives, guiding us through moments of doubt and hard times.

In the Holy Bible, God watches over His people with tender loving care, making sure we’re kept safe in His arms. The first thing we should remember when we face challenges is that God is keeping us close to Him, offering divine favor and strength.

God’s protection isn’t limited to physical safety, it also covers our spiritual and emotional well-being. He cares about every aspect of our lives, desiring to have a close, intimate relationship with us. It’s a wonderful thing to simply sit in your living room surrounded by His presence, reflecting on His goodness, and knowing you’re the apple of His eye.

Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings

Psalm 17:8 NIV

Make His Face Shine On You

One of the most beautiful parts of the priestly blessing in the Book of Numbers is the image of God’s face shining on His people. “The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you” conveys the warmth and divine possibilities of knowing that God’s presence is near.

The phrase “make His face shine” represents God’s smile, a smile of God present in your life. It’s as if God is smiling down on us, pouring out His blessing numbers in gracious abundance. To have God’s face shine reflects His delight in His people and His grace at work. When we receive the Lord’s smile, it brings His light into the dark situations we face and reminds us of God’s peace and joy.

Many people say, “Who will show us better times?”
Let your face smile on us, Lord.

Psalm 4:6 New Living Translation

This is a moment where we can picture God, not as distant or far away, but as near and deeply involved in our lives. This ancient blessing speaks to a personal relationship with our Creator, who delights in blessing us with His divine blessings and God’s peace. The God of the universe takes time to shine His light on us because we’re precious to Him. And we can be sure that He will give us better times if we let God smile on us each day.

God’s Hand in Our Lives

As we reflect on the meaning of Numbers 6:24-26, it’s clear that God’s hand is at work throughout this blessing. God’s words spoken over His people show His deep love and care. His hand is the source of our provision, protection, and peace.

When the Lord Jesus Christ was born, He embodied the fulfillment of this blessing. Through His life, death, and resurrection, we receive the ultimate spiritual blessing, the gift of salvation and God’s favor. In the same way that God’s hand was upon the people of Israel, leading them through the wilderness, His hand is upon us today, guiding us through the many challenges and tough times we face.

We can trust in the power of God to keep us, bless us, and let His divine protection rest upon us. His hand is always there, even in the midst of trials, offering peace and reassurance that we are under His care.

The Lord Lift His Countenance Upon You

The final part of this ancient blessing says, “The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.” This is a beautiful picture of God lifting His face toward us, signifying His favor and grace. To lift His countenance means God is attentive to us, aware of our needs, and ready to respond.

In this line, we see the ultimate goal of the Lord’s name being placed upon us, to give us peace. The kind of a Lord we serve is one who desires to give us His peace, not as the world gives, but a peace that surpasses understanding. It’s a reminder that no matter what we face in life, God’s presence is with us, bringing calm to the storm and light to the darkness.

PeaceI leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14:27 New International Version

Whether we’re young people just beginning our faith journey or seasoned believers, this blessing holds profound meaning. It’s not just a prayer for ancient times, it speaks into the lives of God’s people in every generation. But we can have the peace of Christ as the Lord Himself turns His face to us.

The Blessing for Today

The old priestly benediction found in Numbers chapter 6 is a powerful reminder of God’s heart for His people. As we receive these powerful blessings from our Heavenly Father, we can have confidence that He’s with us, blessing and keeping us every step of the way. The blessing of God is filled with peace, favor, and protection, and it’s available to us through our faith in Christ Jesus and the presence of the Holy Spirit inside of us.

As you reflect on this blessing today, may it be a reminder of God’s love, care, and desire to bless you in every aspect of your life. Whether you’re facing moments of doubt or walking in the fullness of God’s blessings, let the Lord smile on you, knowing that He wants to bless you and keep you. This is a promise you can hold on to no matter what comes your way. Let the Word of God be your guide, and may His face shine upon you always!