The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, 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. (Numbers 6:23-26 ESV).
Happy Birthday, David! Hardly seems possible that he is 44 years old today. I know I haven’t aged any in those years … LOL! Maybe “Bones” is correct in his report to Captain Kirk in our meme today: “I don’t see any signs of aging.” I do know that he certainly isn’t a “new kind of life form though.” Our reading today expresses my deepest desire and petition for him. It is known as the “Irish Blessing” though its roots are far older than that. Here Moses is told to bless the nation of Israel with this pronouncement from the Lord.
That thought does remind me a great deal of the time of the year we are presently moving through. Today is Palm Sunday in our liturgical calendar. This is the day that Jesus entered Jerusalem for the last time before His crucifixion. He knew His death, burial, and resurrection were essential to bring the ultimate blessing to Israel and the rest of the world. In many ways that’s the way God creates a “new life form.” Through His grace extended to all His children we get a second birthday. It is that moment when we possess life without end. It is at that moment that the Holy Spirit comes to abide in us and guarantee our eternal life and relationship with our heavenly Father. The people who greeted Jesus on the road with palm branches and shouts of celebration had no idea of the real extent of Jesus’ sacrifice. Now we look back on that moment and recognize how great a gift it was.
It does remind me of that day 44 years ago when Daivd was born. While I was jubilant to be sure, I did not know how great having him would become. And it simply gets better with each day. Happy Birthday, David! And may the Lord bless you greatly in all your life just as He has in mine with you!