The Lord bless you, and keep you: the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-25
Peace is the embodiment and fulfillment of all the prior portions of the blessing. When He gives us favor, when He looks upon us, when He blesses us – the result is peace.
We rightly ask for peace in this world. God Is not a God of chaos but of order and beauty. It is good to have peace around us. But a more important peace is that which dwells within. Receiving the internal peace that comes from being right with Him, from being in His Presence, is a greater gift.
Peace is a wholeness and completeness. It is things as they should be. It is shalom. We may not experience that externally in our fallen world but when we receive God’s blessings, we begin to experience it in our soul. Oh, what a joy to have the peace of God within.
This final phrase of the priestly blessing is His chief end. If we are in His sight – and He is extending favor to us – how can we not have peace? I am safe and provided for. I am loved. And I have been given grace and favor. Therefore, I can have peace – no matter my circumstance.
For those who struggle, who endure hardships and grief, who are acutely aware of the fallenness of this life – God WANTS to give us peace. He shines His face upon us, being gracious to us. He sees us and the result on us is shalom, the inner peace that He is in control. We will see life as it should be in due time. It is found in His presence, in Him.
May the Lord give you peace, my brothers and sisters.
