Blessing and Keeping

PSALM 138 (King James Version)

Psalm 138

 ¹I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.

 ²I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

 ³In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.

 ⁴All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth.

 ⁵Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD.

 ⁶Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.

 ⁷Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.

 ⁸The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20138%20&version=KJV 

SCRIPTURE READING  
Numbers 6:22-27 (The Message) 

The Aaronic Blessing

^22-23 God spoke to Moses: "Tell Aaron and his sons, This is how you are to bless the People of Israel. Say to them, 

 ²⁴ God bless you and keep you, 

 ²⁵ God smile on you and gift you, 

 ²⁶ God look you full in the face 
      and make you prosper. 
²⁷ In so doing, they will place my name on the People of Israel— 
   I will confirm it by blessing them."

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Num%206:22-27&version=MSG

 

HYMN The Lord Bless You and Keep You 

Tune:  Benediction

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord lift his countenance upon you and give you peace, and give you peace. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious, and be gracious, the Lord be gracious, gracious unto you.  Amen.

 

  The Aaronic blessing – the blessing I offer most every Sunday at the end of worship.  This blessing seems especially appropriate on the day we are all dealing with the loss of our good friend and church member Bill Graham.  Bill passed away early yesterday morning.  His services will be at 10 am on Thursday here at the church.  It’s important at the end of worship to remember that the Lord bless and keep us as we leave to go out into our work week and it’s important to remember on a day when we struggle with the pain and reality of loss and grief to remember the good news of our faith – that even when the world says it’s all over and done the Lord will still bless and keep us.

   Tonight is our church’s Executive Committee meeting at 7:30 pm.  It’s scheduled to be a quiet day in the office (wonder how long that will last!)  It’s good to remember, whatever comes, that the Lord does bless and keep all who seek His face.

   Blessings on your journey