The Language Of Heaven

Numbers 6:22-27

Whenever Aaron and his sons bless the people of Israel in my name, I myself will bless them. (Numbers 6:27)

IF SOMEONE OFFERED YOU a method for reconstructing your world—not simply changing it, but building it into something completely new—what would you do with that information? As a citizen of heaven who is called to bring heaven’s culture into earthly realms, you can probably imagine a lot of problems to address and opportunities to create. You are, after all, seated with Jesus in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6) and told to pray that things on earth would reflect his Kingdom (Matthew 6:10). You’ve likely envisioned how that might look in the lives of those around you. What if the master key to your vision turned out to be the words you speak?

In fact, it is—at least in part. We are called to learn the language of heaven and speak it into people’s hearts. That means replacing all complaining, gossip, frustration, and attention to problems with encouragement, affirmation, blessing, and attention to solutions. Instead of crying out for help, which always begins with a problem, we praise the majesty of God, which always begins with the answer. As holders of the truths of God’s Kingdom, we have an amazing opportunity to shape our environment with them—if we are intentional about putting a Kingdom angle on everything we see.

God gave Israel’s priests a tool to accomplish this task: the blessing Aaron was to speak over the people, which God said he would honor. It’s a simple blessing, but with powerful effect: “May the LORD bless you and protect you. May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace” (Numbers 6:24-26). This is the culture of heaven being spoken into earth, an expression of the heart of God, and it’s remarkably easy to do. It will require putting biases and judgments aside, but those are heavy burdens to carry anyway. Learn the language of heaven, and speak it freely. God is a blesser by nature; you are called to be one too.

{Father, give me grace to set aside my criticisms and complaints, and fill my mouth with words of blessing. May my words be a vehicle for your goodness. Amen.