Blessings Part One

Recently I have been pondering what it means to be blessed.  What it means to be blessed by God that is, and how God’s blessing is different from the typical American viewpoint of being blessed.  From the very beginning of creation God sought to bless His people; however the fall of man brought forth curses instead of blessings (Genesis 3).  Yet God reveals His heart to bless all people when He tells Abraham:

“I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:2-3

These verses reveal two things about God’s view of blessing.  The first thing it reveals is that when we are blessed our blessing is clearly portrayed to others.  God promises to make Abraham into “a great nation” and to make Abraham’s name great among all the peoples of the earth.  This leads us to the second point of God’s blessings.  God blesses us so that we can bring His blessing to others.  God says “you will be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you” and “all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”  Our being blessed by God is not so that we can experience comfort and pleasure but so that we can spread God’s glory and splendor throughout the earth.

This idea of blessing is so contrary to what we Americans typically view blessing as.  For example, yesterday as I was watching the world cup it was stated, by the commentator, that a specific individual was blessed with speed.  Is this use of blessing the same as what God refers to in Genesis 12?  Is this the type of blessedness that He wants to bestow on all His creation?  I don’t think so.   Yes God can use someone’s speed and athletic ability to bring others to Himself, it can fit in with the two points highlighted above if one uses their ability in the correct way, however a verse in Psalms really simplifies (at least for me) what type of blessing God longs to give to “all peoples on earth.”

 “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.  Blessed is the man whose sins the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.” Psalm 32:1-2

This definition of being blessed has nothing to do with physical wealth, ability, or knowledge but with eternal and lasting things.  This is vastly different from the blessings we typically seek as Americans.  The “blessings” of comfort, convenience, advantage in competition, health, safety, wealth, etc, etc, etc.  Why is it that we are so comfortable seeking our own earthly “blessings” that will last only a moment, when God’s blessing is so much more powerful and eternally satisfying?

Matthew 5:3-12
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth,

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Maybe it is time to reevaluate our blessings.  Are we truly as blessed as we say we are?  Are we poor in spirit?  Do we mourn?  Are we meek?  Do we hunger and thirst for righteousness?  Are we merciful?  Are we pure in heart?  Are we peacemakers?   Are we persecuted?  Do people insult us because of Christ?  When we ask for blessings do we ask for these things so that (as Genesis 12 indicates) we can in turn bless others through God’s grace as His power is displayed in our weakness; or do we ask for the blessings of comfort and convenience so that we can horde our so called blessing all to ourselves?

Oh Lord,

Help us to seek Your blessing in this world, and not our own.  Help us to live in such a way that Your blessing is imminent in our lives and seen by those around us who don’t know you.  Give us the boldness to stand in persecution and insult so that Your blessing may be shared with those You put in our lives.  And Lord give Your people courage, as you gave Abraham, to leave our comfort zones and go to the ends of the earth proclaiming Your blessing to all the people of the earth. As this is Your will Father let it be ours.  Give us Your passion to be blessed and give us Your passion to bless others with the blessings that we ourselves have. 

Oh Lord bless America, Land that I love. Stand beside her, and guide her through the night with a light from above. From the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans, white with foam God bless America, My home sweet home.

Bless us so that we in turn bless the world.  Give America Your heart for Your people and give us the strength to bring Your blessing to all the world. 

Amen