The Blessing
Because of the Cross, we can declare our faith over the blessings of the Lord. Although there are some perspectives to consider when we speak of blessings: To one person it could be a big deal, while to another person the same blessing is ordinary. For this reason, we need to consider how we view our place in the blessing.
Everybody wants to be blessed. Truth be told, we spend a lot of time “waiting” and “wishing” for blessings to materialize. Could it be that we are blessed more than we think?
When we trust in the Lord and place our confidence in Him, we are blessed. We become like a plug fitting into a power source. Through our Power Source, we receive the necessary elements for life – without fear or worry over whatever comes our way. Like central air and heat, He has it all covered.
The blood of Jesus on the Cross, and He having been brought back from the dead, created an eternal covenant for us who believe. He is the great Shepherd, equipping us with everything good for doing the Father’s will. Through Jesus Christ working in us what is pleasing to Him, we have the peace of God.
Jesus both died to kill “the law” and to become the Law. His teachings in the Bible are our playbook for life. Follow it and the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – become who you are.
The covenant we have with God is activated through Jesus Christ, forming a relationship with us. He loves us more than any other of His creations. Look how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire. Will He not much more clothe you? If you have little faith, you worry about your provisions (food, drink, clothes). If you have great faith, you know that God knows what you need and will provide. Our job is to first seek His kingdom and His righteousness, and then, all these things will be given.
The promises of God are forever, and in His time, they will come to pass for each of us. In this blessing of promise, we must praise while we wait. “My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior – from violent people you save me. I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and have been saved from my enemies.” For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.” — Psalm 84:11-13, NIV
Blameless here does not mean perfection. It means a lifestyle choice that refuses to be influenced by the ungodly: those whose lives are governed by evil passions. They refuse to align with sinners: those who choose to do wrong. Further, they refuse to join the ranks of those who mock God, mock the righteous, or oppose whatever is virtuous. As believers we cannot join in with the ungodly, their scornful attitudes and behavior. We must regularly study God’s word to know His law, become very familiar with its principles, and learn to love it more and more each day.
The Cross was significant in its ability to redeem sinful man, and through His glory in Christ Jesus, God will meet all our needs. Every good and perfect gift comes from our Father. It is He who is able to do immeasurably more than all we could ever ask or imagine. Today, mercy, peace, and love are ours in abundance, because of the blessing in Christ Jesus from the Cross.
Let us keep the proper perspective on the position of the Cross, as it points to our lives in real time. The blessing itself cannot be bigger than the Blesser (God the Father). What He gives should not replace our focus on His presence in our life. The blessing can never be more important than the blessee . If we glorify the blessing without nurturing our “being” – the “who we are” because of what God says about us – then we lose the effect of being blessed. The blessing has to be in balance over our lives. We don’t neglect everything else to seek blessings, or when received, we don’t worship what we got. We give God all the honor and glory for His promises and especially thank Him for the manifesting power of those blessings – through Jesus Christ who died on the Cross for you and me, our families, and the families of the world who believe.
How we walk life out is impacted by the way we see blessings. When we are obedient to the word of God and trust His sovereign will, we will eat the good things of the land and not be devoured by sin and/or its consequences. God is faithful; His will and purpose over our lives is tempered by His full knowledge of who we are and our capacities. We don’t have to be afraid to fully obey the Lord our God and carefully follow all of His commands. Blessings are a show of His deep love for us!
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace. — Numbers 6:24-26, NIV
