The triune nature of God remains a mystery. We admittedly trust and worship a God whom we don’t completely understand. Yet he isn’t eons away from our lives. He comes close and gets real with us.

“The Lord bless you and keep you,” God’s Word promises you in his blessing, knowing that you need the Father’s care that he gives to his children.

He gives care like sunshine and rain, farmers and crops, health, a functional government, paychecks, doctors, and unseen angels delivering you from evil you don’t even realize could have happened

“The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you,” God’s Word promises you in his blessing, as the Son smiles at you with forgiveness and delight.

He gives delight like a teacher smiling at her students as they walk out of the classroom at the end of another year. They tested her patience quite often. They let her down again and again. But she knew it would work like it always does. Because of her expert knowledge and firm but gentle encouragement, they now walk into the world better prepared.

“The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace,” God’s Word promises you in his blessing, assuring the attention of the Holy Spirit’s peacefulness. You need not be afraid. And when you’re not afraid, you are more gentle with others, kinder, wiser, and happier.

These are the words from Numbers 6:24-26 that we commonly call the benediction, which means “good words.”