I’ve been attending a “new” church for the past few months. It’s been exciting to meet new people and to worship God in a new environment. And like all churches, they do things that are unique to that congregation.

One in particular that I have never seen or heard of before is when they pass the communion trays, the usher whispers, “God bless you” to the person receiving the tray. If you are in a row where it comes from someone sitting in the pew beside you, they too whisper, “God bless you.”

I don’t know the history behind this particular idea in this particular church, but I do know that God’s blessings are abundant and that Scripture overflows with words of blessing from God. I want to share just a few with you.

As the Hebrew nation came to learn all of God’s laws and decrees, they were also promised blessings as they carefully followed all that God told them. In Deuteronomy 7 we see some of these blessings God promised to provide. An increase in their number, women would be fruitful, crops would be substantial, and their livestock would be abundant. They would be blessed more than any other nation and they would be free of every disease. All of this is they followed God’s decrees.

In Psalm 29:11, God promised to bless his people with strength and peace.

Ezekiel 34:26 (NIV) contains words from a hymn you might recognize. “I will bless them and the places surrounding my hill. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.” The commentary in my NIV study Bible says this about this particular verse. “Blessing, the power of life promised to God’s people through Abraham is beautifully symbolized in the life-giving effects of rain.”[i] Now that is a refreshing blessing!

Jesus gave some special blessings in Matthew 5:3-11. He blessed the poor in spirit. He blessed those who mourn. Jesus blessed the meek and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. He blessed the merciful. He blessed the pure in heart. Jesus blessed the peacemakers and those who are persecuted because of righteousness. The blessings these folks received are priceless against the troubles of this world. These are blessings for us to hold and claim.

A biblical blessing you might recognize is one found in the Book of Numbers. Aaron, Moses’ brother shared God’s words to the Israelites. They are words you may hear often and it might just be where “God bless you” came from.

Today I pray that you will feel blessed. That you will understand the many blessings that God is willing to lavish upon you. That you can share with others the blessings God has given you.

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26 – NIV)

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna