Blessed to be a Blessing

Date: Monday, February 16, 2026

You might want to watch this short video overview of Numbers from the Bible Project, providing context for the next leg of our journey through the "grand narrative" of Scripture.

We’re jumping into Numbers briefly, starting in Numbers 6 where we find God teaching His people how to bless each other.

The famous priestly blessing… “The LORD bless you and keep you…” isn’t some magic formula. It’s God projecting Himself on His people. Think about that. The Creator of the universe says, “I want my name, along with my image, associated with you.” That’s not religious talk; that’s radical love.

But before we get to that beautiful benediction, we’ve got the Nazirite vow. And honestly? It’s a little weird. No wine, no haircuts, no touching dead bodies. Sounds strange. But here’s what it shows us: sometimes radical dedication requires radical distinction. “Nazirite” means “consecrated” in Hebrew. The Nazirites were living billboards that said, “There’s something more important than comfort, convention, and fitting in.”

What strikes me is how this chapter bookends dedication with blessing. The Nazirites separate themselves to God, and then God gives these priests the words to release God’s blessing back to the people. It’s the rhythm of the Kingdom: we draw close to God, and from that nearness, blessing flows outward to others. You can’t skip the first part and expect the second part to work. That’s why all missions and outreach need to start with abiding.

And here’s where Psalm 40 connects beautifully: “I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.” The psalmist describes being pulled out of the pit, getting firm footing, and then … receiving a new song. When God blesses us, when He turns His face toward us, His brightness lights us up and we become a living testimony. We become people who can say, “Let me tell you what He did for me,” and suddenly we’re blessing others just by telling the truth about God’s faithfulness.

How does this fit within the grand narrative of Scripture? God has always been in the business of choosing people, marking them as His own, and then using them to bless the nations. From Abraham to the Nazirites to the Church, it’s the same pattern: blessed to be a blessing. That’s not just theology; that’s our job description as followers of Jesus. Abide in the truth, walk in the light of God’s countenance shining upon us, and we become an encouragement to others.

Devotional Prompts:

When have you experienced God’s face shining on you in a tangible way, and how did that change your perspective on your circumstances?
What would radical dedication to God look like in your current season of life, and what comfortable things might you need to set aside?
Who in your life needs to hear a blessing spoken over them, and what’s stopping you from doing it today?
How does knowing God has placed His name on you affect the way you live in spaces where faith isn’t popular?

Prayer: Lord, You’ve blessed us with more than we deserve and loved us better than we could imagine. Teach us to wear Your name with honor, to live set apart not out of legalism but out of love. Make us conduits of Your blessing, people who draw near to You so we can bring others closer too. Turn Your face toward us today, and let that light spill over into every conversation and encounter. Amen.