“. . . the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

— Numbers 6:26

Last year, my wife and I completed a 900-kilometer (560-mile) hiking trail that stretches from Niagara Falls to Lake Huron in Canada. It took us about 60 hikes over five summers to finish it. One of the things we noticed whenever we would start a new hike was the immediate sense of peace and calm we felt as we followed a path into the woods. We were soon immersed in the beauty of nature. It was our happy place.

Some of the greatest gifts of God are moments when we can catch a glimpse of God’s peace. Where and when have you experienced that gift?

Sabbath is designed to be a day of peace for us—a day when we interrupt our regular routines to focus on God through worship, play, and rest. Thankfully we do not have to be in our “happy place” to receive that peace. The blessing of Aaron in Numbers 6 is God’s promise to turn his face toward us wherever we are and to bring us peace.

We see the same in the ministry of Jesus. After his resurrection, Jesus greeted his grieving disciples with a beautiful message: “Peace be with you!” (John 20:21, 26).

On this Sabbath day, may you experience the gift of God’s eternal peace in Jesus for whatever burden you may be carrying.

Jesus, my life longs for the peace that transcends all understanding. Grant me your blessing of peace today as I give up my worries and anxieties to rest in you. Amen.