This is the Day the Lord Has Made

"The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,

The Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;

the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them"

(Numbers 6:22-27)

This is the day the Lord has made.

Our worship this morning looks a little different, back in our homes, watching an online service, as the kids colour on the floor. This morning, Aaron's blessing over the people of Israel reminds me that no matter where we are, for this short season of chaos, to keep sight of who God is.

The Israelites were given this blessing before their journey in the wilderness, before they would experience the stresses of their journey, the animosity of surrounding nations, the hunger and the longing to return to Egypt.

This blessing would point them toward Yahweh, the "I am", the One who was with them; the One who protected them, showed them grace and provided them peace.

The wilderness journey would test them. They would fail, grumble and complain. They would make choices that impacted their future. As they lost trust and hope in the One who had called them out, their eyes turned toward themselves and their own needs, rather than staying fixed on the truth of who He is.

We find ourselves doing the same thing at times. In our challenges and struggles, we can easily become focused on our own needs, drifting from the firm foundation that He has laid for us in His Word.

May we remember today that we are kept by God. Protected not from life's circumstances, but guarded and preserved in His sovereign and mighty hand.

May we remember today that we are under His grace. Forgiven for our sins, and restored to a relationship with our Creator.

May we remember that we have peace. Holding tightly to the promises of His Word, walking in step with Him and trusting that He is Yahweh, the "I am," the One who dwells among us.

As you worship this morning, perhaps in a different context than usual, be encouraged in the One who holds the world in His hand, and offer your worship to Him, for He alone is worthy.