Vineyard Church of Knox County
Asking God’s Blessing on VCKC
"Bless the Israelites, saying: The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace." This ancient blessing (Numbers 6:24-26), given from Aaron the priest as a blessing on God's people, is a blessing that we at VCKC desire for us as we move forward in faith to pursue the purchase of land and (eventually) a building. Let's appreciate this blessing here.
The “shining face of God” signifies the gracious concern the Lord has for His people. King David’s words in Psalm 31:14-16 communicate God’s gracious favor on His servants: “But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me. Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.” So, we, too, pray that God would give us his grace, would save us in His unfailing love, would show us His concern, that His face would shine on us as we move forward in our decision-making.
Similarly, the Lord’s “countenance” signifies divine favor. The Israelites sung Psalm 44 to remind them of the Lord’s mighty works, to remind them that only by the Lord’s “countenance,” or favor, did anything good come about. It reads, “With your hand you drove out the nations and planted our fathers; you crushed the peoples and made our fathers flourish. It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them.” We, too, recognize that nothing good or righteous happens in this church unless the Lord favors us, unless the Lord blesses us with His countenance. Land will not be purchased and a building will not be built but by God’s “right hand,” God’s power and the light of His face. So, we pray that the Lord would bless us with His countenance as we walk this uncertain path of purchasing land.
The Hebrew word “shalom,” here translated “peace,” was the highest, most precious, most recognized blessing given in the ancient world (and still today among Jews). Shalom is a state of well-being (both spiritual and material), of all-encompassing peace and rest, of being sure that “all is right,” a state that comes as a gift from God. This is what we desire from God as we move forward in this church, a deep sense of shalom, of both spiritual and financial well-being, assurance that we are immersed in His will for us. We know that shalom is only possible when God’s face is shining on us and His countenance is upon us.
So, join me as I pray this blessing upon VCKC regularly in this season of high uncertainty and high adventure. We can be sure that as God blesses us with His shining face, His countenance, and His peace we will be able to celebrate His amazing work that will far exceed our humble expectations.
