I was 6 years old and it was shortly after Christmas. Another family with a boy my age was coming over for dinner. I must have been a little paranoid (I like the word protective better) because I was afraid he would steal my new Christmas presents. I decided to write my initials on them. I got a little carried away. Soon almost everything in my room had D.A.K. written on it in black permanent marker. Years later, I was so frustrated my Milwaukee Brewers batting helmet had my initials written right across the front logo.
If something was mine, I wanted people to know it and I wanted it protected. God feels the same way. When something is his, he wants people to know it and he wants it protected. That’s why he had his Old Testament priests put his name on his people. They didn’t do it with a black marker, but with a beautiful blessing. When they speak that blessing, he said, “so they will put my name on the Israelites.”(Num 6:27)
With that blessing he put his name on them and also gave his promise to them. No matter what they were facing, God would bless them and keep them close to him. In dark and sad times, his gracious face would be shining on them because they were his people. When enemies threatened, he wouldn’t turn his back on them, but look on them with eyes of favor so they could be at peace. All of it was true because he was a God of free and faithful grace who had promised a Savior. They were blessed, they were his, and they were protected.
God wants you to know the same thing as you enter this new year.
As you let go of 2020, there are other things you want to let go of with it– the fear, the hurt, the pain. There are things you also need to let go of – the sin, the grudge, the guilt. As you strive with God’s help to let go of those things, God’s promise in Jesus is that he will never let go of you. He will hold you close and “keep you.”
There are dark days you remember and there are potentially dark and sad days to come. God’s promise is that you are his, even in the darkest days. Like the proudest parent of a dearly loved child, God’s face will always be graciously shining to brighten your heart.
For the guilt and shame of the past and the fears and failures of the future. God’s promises in Jesus that he has not and will not turn his back on you, but look on you with gracious favor. You can be at peace.
I can’t think of a better way to enter a new year. You are blessed, you are his, you are protected.
Happy new year!
The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.– Numbers 6:24-26
.png)
