THE LORD SPOKE (February 24)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Numbers 5-6

It’s called the Priestly Benediction because the priests were instructed to pronounce this blessing over Israel:

The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
(Num. 6:24-26)

Peace here is not the absence of war but a state of fullness, contentment, and well-being. Coming from the verb shalem (“to fill”) it has the basic idea of full satisfaction or completeness. Nothing is missing. Everything is in balance. It’s often used in Scripture in connection with spiritual wholeness. It can indicate the state of righteousness that can only come from the Lord.

That’s what makes this pronouncement such a blessing. To know the Lord’s gracious look and to sense His turning in our direction is the highest of joys. Why should He consider us? But He does. And with favor! To “find grace in the eyes of the Lord” gives a sense of fulfillment to which nothing else can compare!

Thou, my everlasting portion,
More than friend or life to me;
All along my pilgrim journey,
Savior, let me walk with Thee.

Not for ease or worldly pleasure,
Not for fame my pray shall be;
Gladly will I toil and suffer,
Only let me walk with Thee.

Lead me through the vale of shadows,
Bear me o’er life’s fitful sea;
Then the gate of life eternal
May I enter, Lord, with Thee.

Close to Thee, close to Thee,
Close to Thee, close to Thee,
Then the gate of life eternal
May I enter, Lord, with Thee.


New Testament: Luke 11

There it is again! Throughout Luke’s Gospel, Jesus places a high emphasis on hearing the Word of God and doing it. “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Lk. 11:28).

Just three chapters back He told the parable of the soils in which the emphasis is on how well each receptor listens. Remember, “the seed is the word of God” (Lk. 8:11) and each type of soil represents how different people hear it (vs. 12,13,14,15). That’s followed by Jesus’ pointed advice, “therefore, consider carefully how you listen” (Lk. 8:18). Then, to nail it home, He says, “my mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.” (Lk. 8:21).

Several other cases follow in chapters nine and ten, but perhaps the sharp reminder given to Peter at the Transfiguration (Lk. 9:28-36) is the most telling. When he starts jabbering, the voice from heaven reminds Peter with words to this effect: “You’re standing before my beloved Son! Shut up for a change and listen to Him!”

Now in chapter eleven, the Lord pronounces a blessing on those who hear and do according to His word. The hearing must be accompanied by doing. Merely hearing isn’t enough. True listening must result in action. The illustrations that immediately follow (Lk. 11:29-32) are powerful. A chosen prophet, Jonah, heard but didn’t do, while a wicked city, Nineveh, heard and followed God’s way. A foreigner, the Queen of Sheba, came from far to hear God’s word through Solomon, while those who were close, the people of Israel, didn’t heed his message. Both will rise up at the judgment to condemn the faulty listeners.

So where does that leave you and me? Jesus, referring to Himself, says that “one greater than Solomon” and “one greater than Jonah” has spoken. Are we careful to hear His words? More important, are we careful to obey them? “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Lk. 11:28).