The Benediction-Shine On!!!

Reflection: You might recognize the language of the psalm as similar to the benediction, or blessing, given at the end of most traditional worship services.  “Now may the Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face shine upon you, the Lord be gracious to you and look upon you with favor and grant you His peace.  In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen.”   The word benediction means “good word”! 

This is also called “Aaronic blessing”, as it was the blessing Aaron the priest gave at the end of the Jewish worship service. But note today the verse that comes after it. It says, “So that your ways may be known on the earth your salvation among the nations.”  The ultimate purpose of the blessing is to make God’s ways known.  And, of course, if you are “shining” somebody is going to notice it.  As we receive God’s grace and blessing, the natural organic outcome is that we would be a blessing to others who come in our path.  It’s really that simple folks! 

We often hear the saying, “Blessed to be a blessing”, but this often gets lost as a trite saying, and yet this concept is really at the heart of the church and the called people being sent out each week!  In 1 Corinthians 16, we see another aspect of the blessing as Paul instructs the Corinthians to set aside a certain amount each week in keeping with their income as an offering for the church in Jerusalem.  Whether this was a gift above their regular tithe to the local church or not, it gives us the principle that as we are blessed with resources, we give accordingly to those in need.  Notice there is no guilt or manipulation, just a simple call to give as you have been given! 

As you go to work today or whatever calling you have in your life, may God bless you and keep you, may the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you, may the Lord look upon you with favor and grant you His peace in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit! Amen.  Shine on my friend!     

Psalm 67

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm. A song.

1 May God be gracious to us and bless us

    and make his face shine on us—

2 so that your ways may be known on earth,

    your salvation among all nations.

3 May the peoples praise you, God;

    may all the peoples praise you.

4 May the nations be glad and sing for joy,

    for you rule the peoples with equity

    and guide the nations of the earth.

5 May the peoples praise you, God;

    may all the peoples praise you.

6 The land yields its harvest;

    God, our God, blesses us.

7 May God bless us still,

    so that all the ends of the earth will fear him.

Proverbs 14

The wise woman builds her house,

    but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

2 Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,

    but those who despise him are devious in their ways.

3 A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,

    but the lips of the wise protect them.

4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,

    but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests.

5 An honest witness does not deceive,

    but a false witness pours out lies.

6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,

    but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.

7 Stay away from a fool,

    for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,

    but the folly of fools is deception.

9 Fools mock at making amends for sin,

    but goodwill is found among the upright.

10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,

    and no one else can share its joy.

11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,

    but the tent of the upright will flourish.

12 There is a way that appears to be right,

    but in the end it leads to death.

13 Even in laughter the heart may ache,

    and rejoicing may end in grief.

14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,

    and the good rewarded for theirs.

15 The simple believe anything,

    but the prudent give thought to their steps.

16 The wise fear the Lord and shun evil,

    but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.

17 A quick-tempered person does foolish things,

    and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.

18 The simple inherit folly,

    but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19 Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good,

    and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,

    but the rich have many friends.

21 It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor,

    but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.

22 Do not those who plot evil go astray?

    But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.

23 All hard work brings a profit,

    but mere talk leads only to poverty.

24 The wealth of the wise is their crown,

    but the folly of fools yields folly.

25 A truthful witness saves lives,

    but a false witness is deceitful.

26 Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,

    and for their children it will be a refuge.

27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,

    turning a person from the snares of death.

28 A large population is a king’s glory,

    but without subjects a prince is ruined.

29 Whoever is patient has great understanding,

    but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.

30 A heart at peace gives life to the body,

    but envy rots the bones.

31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,

    but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,

    but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.

33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning

    and even among fools she lets herself be known.

34 Righteousness exalts a nation,

    but sin condemns any people.

35 A king delights in a wise servant,

    but a shameful servant arouses his fury.

1 Corinthians 16:1-11

The Collection for the Lord’s People

16 Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 3 Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.

Personal Requests

5 After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you—for I will be going through Macedonia. 6 Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. 8 But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me. 10 When Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. 11 No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers.

The Lord has sent me to comfort all who mourn. Isaiah 6:1,2

God consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. 2 Corinthians 1:4

You are our refuge and strength, O God, our ever-present help in trouble. Embolden us to share the good news of your steadfast love. Make us instruments your consolation, we pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen.