"The LORD bless you out of Zion, and may you see the good of Jeru-
salem all the days of your life."
This is a sweet benediction (above). What better life is there, than to be blessed by God "out of Zion," viz. from His church? And what more pleasant prospect is there, than to "see the good of Jerusalem," viz. the church, the people of God, "all the days of [our lives]"?
These are the values the Lord places on life on earth; and they are the ones we ought to aspire to, as well. As we do so, by grace, we learn how to live in heaven, while we are yet on the earth. May all God's children be encouraged today, not despairing, but looking to Him for help and grace.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Hence we learn that a life of holiness is the pleasantest life in this world, because in such a life we have the imperfect beginnings of a blessed and endless sight of God."
--Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "The Pure in Heart Blessed"]
