“I will put My Name on them and I will bless them” (Numbers 6:27)

“The blessing of the Lord brings wealth and He adds no trouble to it.” (Proverbs 10:22)

God blesses all who bear His name.  What does this mean? The Scriptures tell us that we are all created “in His image”, which means that our very existence bears witness to God’s existence.  We are a living testimony of His work.  As His creation we are a reflection of His glory. The verses above state that He blesses those who bear His name. Is there a difference between bearing His image and bearing His name? How do we experience this blessing from the Father?

The Bible tells us that when we respond to God in faith He writes His name on us.  It identifies us as His people.  We are all God’s creation and, therefore, bear His image, but only those who respond to His loving call and accept His offer of mercy and grace bear His name. It is when we begin a personal relationship with our God that we become the children of God…bearers of His name…and God takes care of the things that are His.  He blesses them.  He gives them rest when they are weary.  He brings peace when there is chaos.  He gives hope when there is despair.  All of these things should bring a sense of comfort to our soul on this third Sabbath of our Lenten journey. Jesus said;

“I am the good Shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:14, 15)

So, it comes down to a relationship. We once were sheep without a shepherd, but now we are His sheep. We bear His mark. We are under His care and His protection. We are blessed.

Some of us, have a hard time with the principle of Sabbath blessing.  We are waiting for the other shoe to drop.  We are watching out of the corner of our eye for the “catch”.  We are looking over our shoulder for “real life” to over take us.  “Trouble is around every corner”, we say.

Take a look at the Proverb above.  When God blesses there are no strings attached.  He did not put you on the rug just so He could pull it out from under you!  I know…I know…when someone does something for you (blesses you) there is almost always an ulterior motive.  But, can I give you some encouragement straight from the Word of God on this Sabbath day, if you are a believer, you bear His name. And, if you bear His name He will bless you…no strings attached!