Israel’s blessings started with the word may. As Jacob laid his hands upon the heads of Ephraim and Manasseh, he uttered the word and invoked a blessing with it three times.
The psalmist blessed Israel with equal force: “May the Lord respond to your cry. May the God of Israel keep you safe. . . . May he send you help. . . . May he remember all your gifts. . . . May he grant your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans. May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory. . . . May the Lord answer all your prayers” (Psalm 20:1-5).
The word may could be translated “allow.” In other words, allow God to do what He wants to do for you. You must settle in your mind forever that God wants to bless you. Any doubt will always result in questioning His desire to answer your prayers or to increase, deliver, and help you.
God’s Word has the same power to bless you, as did Jacob’s words for his grandsons. “Pay attention, my child, to what I say. Listen carefully. Don’t lose sight of my words. Let them penetrate deep within your heart, for they bring life and radiant health to anyone who discovers their meaning” (Proverbs 4:20-22).
May the Lord bless you today!
Genesis 48:1-49:33
Matthew 15:29-16:12
Psalm 20:1-10:9
Proverbs 4:20-4:27