January 25 -- "The Power of Spoken Blessings"

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 1 

"The Power of Spoken Blessings"

David called for Zadok the priest to conduct his son Solomon's inauguration ceremony.  As he was anointing Solomon as the new king, Zadok pronounced a powerful blessing: “May the Lord be with Solomon as he has been with you, my lord the king, and may he make Solomon’s reign even greater than yours!” With these words, Zadok was invoking God’s blessing upon Solomon and his term in office. 

It was common practice in Solomon’s day for the priest to raise his arms upward and forward with the palm of his hands bent slightly downward and facing the person receiving the blessing. This priestly blessing was known in rabbinic literature as “raising of the hands.” With it, God was seen to be passing His blessing to the priest who, in turn, passed it on to the recipient. Solomon was about to embark upon his new calling in life and, as such, he required the indispensable work of God upon and through him.

In Luke 24, we see Jesus performing this “raising of the hands” as His final act upon Earth.  “And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them.” (Luke 24:50). He blessed them with joy, peace, power and authority to take His Gospel message into all the world. And right in the middle of His priestly blessing, Jesus parted from them and was carried up into Heaven.  Jesus, like David and Zadok, knew the power of spoken blessings.

There is power in a spoken blessing. A spoken blessing is a positive, Biblical statement that invokes the blessing of God in the life of another person. Spoken blessings can bring hope, encouragement, and direction to our families, friends, and others.  The power of spoken blessings does not come from the speaker, but comes from God. When we speak God’s promises into the life of another, we are acting as a conduit to transfer the blessings of God to them. This is why many pastors make it their practice to conclude their worship services with a “benediction” – a spoken word of blessing upon the congregation.

Who do you know today that is in need of God’s power upon his/her life? Since all believers are a “kingdom of priests” (Revelation 5:1), you have the opportunity and God-given authority to raise priestly hands and invoke a spoken blessing upon them. Who could you bless today?