God wants His people to be blessed. He has provided for them out of His riches in glory. Indeed, he has already blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Christ. Part of our responsibility to one another is to remind each other of God’s bountiful supply and provision. We do that with words.

  Peter knew it was necessary to put people in remembrance of all that God had done for them, and he was diligent and faithful to do so.

  As we apply ourselves to the myriad of things we must do everyday, we can forget some of the simple truths upon which we have established our lives. However, it is important that we never forget that God is our sufficiency, and He abundantly supplies.

  God told Moses to instruct the priests to bless His people for Him. He even gave Moses the very words for them to say.

  The priests did as they were directed and blessed God’s people (II Chronicles 30:27). Melchizedek, the priest of the most high God, also blessed Abram in Genesis 14:19,20. The apostles in our administration also spoke benedictions of blessings upon God’s people. Some of the most common benedictions today come right from God’s Word and are spoken with authority to bring God’s blessing to God’s people. Here are several I have used:

  A benediction is an invocation of divine blessing often at the end of a ministry service or written communication. God is usually invoked as He is understood to be the source of the blessing and peace. The one pronouncing the benediction exercises his authority so that not only do his words express a wish or desire, but they actually confer God’s blessing on the recipient.

  Benedictions are done purposefully and deliberately. They affect the blessing that they declare as they are heard and appropriated by those to whom they are spoken. The key is bringing to one’s remembrance what God has declared He has accomplished on their behalf.

  I think that even our casual greeting of “God bless you!” can have profound effect when spoken with deliberate intent and heard with “eager ears.” Yes, I know many of our greetings vary and are spoken without much forethought. However, they don’t need to be. They can demonstrate heartfelt care and concern that can have a measurable effect. When I say “God bless you.” I look for a smile. I expect them to be blessed, and when they are not noticeably affected, I direct further attention to the situation.

  Ruth records a typical interaction between God’s believing people.

  Look at the blessing that Boaz speaks to his reapers, and look at their response to bless him in return. These God-fearing men wanted God’s best for each other and spoke words of blessing to one another. This kind of greeting of mutual blessings was common place among God’s people. When it was not done something was wrong.

  What do we expect our greetings to communicate to those we meet? Is it just simply perfunctory, or do we dare extend God’s blessings to them. Does our handshake or embrace really communicate that we honestly care about the person and desire God’s best for them?

   Certainly the words we speak should go way beyond, “God bless you.” We should have a word fitly spoken on most every occasion. Our care and concern should be communicated through our words and actions. Just don’t let “God bless you.” ever become a mere habit. As sons of God with power and authority in the name of Jesus Christ, what we speak has impact. We should expect people to be blessed when we bless them. When you speak God’s Word as Ambassadors for Christ, it makes a difference. Let’s resolve to do it deliberately.