Deuteronomy chapter 33.
Moses blesses Israel before his death. He speaks to each tribe of Israel giving blessing to them. The sum he speaks words that focus on their strengths, two others that focus on their needs and two others a blessing from God to them. What would God say to me as a blessing? What would he say my strengths are and what would he say are my weaknesses?
My dad, when on his deathbed, called each of his kids in one at a time and spoke a blessing. He mentioned what each of our strengths were and spoke a blessing for each of us. He spoke life into us kids as he pointed out what he perceived to be our strengths.
The words he spoke were very encouraging. I see the value in speaking life into others and giving blessings. Doing such things on one's deathbed can help put peace into the Heart of the receiver. But also the value of speaking life into others daily is abundant. My goal for today is the speak Life into the lives of others. Whoever God puts in my path or on my heart, I want to speak of their strengths, and speak Life into them, and even challenge them in their weak areas if it would benefit them for the Lord.
Thank you for sharing your story about your father Blair.
The Israelites have been so blessed by the Lord and His wisdom and leadership through Moses.
This verse stood out to me, the blessing the Lord gave to Benjamin:
““Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him,
for he shields him all day long,
and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.”
These words put me at such peace. No matter what we go through, what we face, what trials and tribulations come our way, the Lord shields us. We rest secured in Him. All we have to do is surrender to Him and allow Him to infiltrate our lives. God wants us to REST secure in Him. We spend so much energy and grief battling our sin, our own thoughts, our shortcomings, and we grow tired. Do we turn to the Lord for our rest? Or do we continue to turn to sin in a perpetual cycle of mentally, emotionally, and physically draining sinful choices?
In my life, sometimes I feel like the biggest enemy I face is satan. It’s not coworkers or family members, or people in my community. It’s the lies satan feeds to me on a daily basis. When those lies lead me to sin, I am ashamed and turning away from God instead of resting in His love for me.
“He is your shield and helper
and your glorious sword.
Your enemies will cower before you,
and you will tread on their heights.”
Satan and the sin in my life, IS NO MATCH for the shield and sword of the Lord! He will fight for me and He will fight for you!
Thank you to Pastor Blair and Sarah for sharing those encouraging words. May we speak life into others and always remember that the Lord fights for us!