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“The LORD bless you, and keep you; The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.” Numbers 6:24–26

On this last day that we focus on peace, it’s fitting that we end with a blessing from God rather than a command from Him.

These verses were given to Moses to give to Aaron so that the priests could pray God’s blessing over His children. It was not a blessing made hoping they captured God’s sentiments; it was a declaration of God over His people—His thoughts toward us. And His desire is our peace.

Many times we treat peace as a goal or a discipline that we must master. But, as we can see from these verses, peace is the result of God’s blessing and closeness to us.

Notice how personal the language is.

“The LORD bless you.”
“The LORD keep you.”
“The LORD make His face shine on you.”

Peace flows from the confidence that we have God’s attention in a good way—His eyes are lifted up when we are around. He favors us and wants nearness with us. Our peace is affirmed when He pours out His grace on us. We experience peace when we know that God is close, that He is pleased, that we have His attention, and that He is patient with our shortcomings.

The final line paints such a beautiful picture of God as Father, looking up from whatever He is doing to put eyes on His child:

“The LORD lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.”

Peace flows from being held in His gaze.

As we look back on this week of peace found in Christ—peace that remains, peace that is accessible, peace that draws us close to God, peace that God gives—we’re reminded that peace ultimately rests on God’s initiative. He is the One who gives it. He is the One who keeps us. He is the One who remains with us.

As we move out of this week of Advent peace and into whatever lies ahead—full schedules, unresolved situations, quiet worries, and hopeful expectations—may this blessing remain with you… not as words on a page, but as a reality in your life… PEACE BE WITH YOU.