Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing: ‘May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show his favor and give you his peace.'” Numbers 6: 22-26

When God led the Israelites out of Egypt, he laid down his law pretty sternly; He set extremely strict boundaries for His people.

So much so that I can imagine that the Israelites might’ve started to look at God as a killjoy; a tough disciplinarian that they were obligated to follow because He saved them from slavery.

But God is a master of reminding us of His nature at the right time.

After God inundated the Israelites with His law and commands in the books of Exodus and Leviticus, He made sure to pause to communicate how He really felt about them.

He loved them more than they could fathom.

Like a loving parent who yanks a child away from a hot stove, or orders them to come inside when the streetlights come on, God’s desire was to protect the Israelites, train them, and deliver them from evil.

God reminded the Israelites that He should be worshipped and feared not because He brought them out of Egypt.

But because His powerful love for them was greater than anything they could ever comprehend.

So whenever you feel like life is being tough on you, smile and know that God is only trying to develop you.

He loves you!

Be blessed,

Alexia