At the church where I serve, God gets the first and last word in every worship service. We begin with a call to worship from Scripture, and we end with a benediction from Scripture. Unlike prayers of praise which begin with us and move to God, the benediction, a blessing, comes from heaven to earth. It is the pronouncement of God’s blessing on His people.


The first blessing as a part of public worship is found in Numbers 6. It came to the Israelites at a critical time, when they were fearful of going up into the land God had promised them and after they had recently abandoned God in spectacular fashion, worshipping an idol of gold. In spite of their fear and failure, God came to His people and blessed them. God knew that He would be sending His one and only Son to stand in their place, to become cursed so they could be blessed.


Are you fearful of the road ahead? Do you wonder if God is with you and for you? Do idols of your heart govern you? Then turn to Jesus, The Word, and receive God’s blessing.


About the Author:

Kevin Daane writes to us as sinner saved by grace, the husband of Anchor editor Kathy Daane and father to Maddi and Steven. Kevin is an associate pastor in Southern California and has been involved in ministry for 23 years. He is a transplant to the west coast, having spent much of his life in the upper Midwest. The benedictions he writes of in this month’s Anchor have heartened many in the pews at the close of Sunday services.