The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; Numbers 6:25

The majority of people around the world do not place blessings upon others, except on to a few of their closest friends and family members. People are quick to call down curses upon others and desire that something bad occurs. Vengeance or revenge is desired over giving of a blessing.

Despising or hatred is very common among society. This comes from self-pride. Very few want to see others succeed above themselves, especially if they are enemies or have done something wrong.

God gave a blessing that the priests were to say over the Israelites. Part of that blessing was that God would make His face shine on them and be gracious to them.

Believers are very quick to fall into the same camp as the world in bringing down curses upon other people. This can even be found inside the church walls. People get jealous that God is blessing someone else and murmur curses under their breath.

God desires that all of His followers will show His tremendous love towards everyone else, including enemies. One of the greatest ways to do this is ask for God’s blessing in their lives.

Instead of asking God to strike someone, the believer is to ask God to be gracious towards them. Every believer should realize how gracious God was to himself. Any single sin was enough to bring down a death sentence upon one’s head, but God was gracious and loving and forgave that sin.

It is mercy, graciousness that draws a person to God in repentance. If God is only harsh, no one would turn towards Him at all. Giving a blessing will do a lot more than bringing down a curse upon even the vilest of enemies.

Every day you will meet a variety of people. Some will treat you wonderfully, while others will treat you badly. In each and every case you have a choice to make. You can choose to ask God to strike that person, or you can choose for God to be gracious towards them and bless them.

Think about how you would like to be treated. Would you want to be cursed or blessed?

Allow yourself to be filled with God’s great love and mercy and seek to bless those who harm you or curse you. Let God be in control of every situation and bless as He sees fit.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will bless people, rather than curse them; that you will know God’s graciousness towards you; and that God will shine His face upon you.