I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. Gods blessing is found in trusting and obeying God and in the resulting enjoyment (blessing) of His presence and fellowship. - Numbers 6:24-26. When our Lord presented Himself as Israels Messiah, He taught a great deal about the blessings of God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Genesis 12:1-3; 15:1-6, 13-20; 17:15-21; 26:24; 27:27-29; 28:12-15; 47:9 Whereas, in the Old Testament, Israel had the promise of physical blessing, the church today has been promised spiritual blessings "in the heavenly realms." Our inheritance is reserved for us (1 Peter 1:4). And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one. J So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. They are not in trouble as other men; Nor are they plagued like mankind. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.. Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and cast insults at you, and spurn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. These can all be good things, but I think you could also argue that if these blessings lead us further away from God, they are not truly blessings at all. He also promised Abraham that he would become a blessing to all who would bless him. For He knows the secrets of the heart. In Gods wisdom, the church of Jesus Christ is not an ethnic or geographic or political or national entity. Q Such men say if we employ the right approach, (their approach, usually for a donation), success is assured. 98 This verse tells us that Abraham was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. Some preachers and teachers promise Gods blessings as confidently as the mail promises a free gift. As Gods suffering brought blessing to us, so our suffering is viewed as a blessing for us and a potential blessing for others. He helps them out of their own troubles. But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. Just a few - of many - New Testament texts make this clear: Mark 1:4-5 And so John the Baptist appeared . Job 4:6. Gods blessings are the fulfillment of His promise and the conclusion of a process which includes suffering and sorrow. I Always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. Eve was cursed with pain in child-bearing and with the dominion of her husband over her. And besides Thee, I desire nothing on earth. One would not have chosen Abrahams life to illustrate blessing. These blessings fit the definition laid down in Proverbs 10:22: It is the blessing of the Lord that makes rich, And He adds no sorrow to it. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? They understood that the blessings God promised were not material, but spiritual, and that they were not temporal, but eternal. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (18) Christians will suffer--and not just for sin. See what over 150,000 subscribers are already receiving each day. M May it not be said of us that our faith is too small, or to help us to look to You, to see in You, Your infinite power. And instead of telling the world to come to us Come see how I bless my people; God never says that he says, Go go to the world. Philippians 4:19 These are the blessings our Lord Himself brings to pass in His second coming. Selah. But in the case of these innocent sufferers, their suffering was not attributed to their sin but was the outgrowth of their righteousness. If a nation repented of its sin and turned to God, its threatened judgment could be averted. It is by blessing Him that we enjoy Gods blessings, rather than the curse of sin. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us. If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Gods plan is purposed to bring glory to Himself and blessing to us. You cannot be richer than a Christian. His blessings were not the kind they wanted. Unless otherwise indicated, all content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. He points them to the true blessings which are in Christ. And is there knowledge with the Most High? Behold, these are the wicked; And always at ease, they have increased in wealth. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. "Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways." Psalm 128:1 (NIV) "Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble. God does not promise to make us wealthy but that our relationship with Him will prosper. It is the blessing to which Abraham and every other Old Testament saint looked forward. To me, it seems like the way God uses blessed or blessings in the Bible is very different from how its used now. Peter rejected the thought out of hand. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface: "It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Put the bounce back in my step, the smile back on my face, and the dance back in my feet. But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Jacob struggled with Laban (see Genesis 31:42). For the Lord is a God of justice, blessed are all who wait for him! Isaiah 30:18 (NIV), Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. Jeremiah 17:7 (NIV), The best of all the first fruits and of all your special gifts will belong to the priests. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. Often, the Old Testament Israelite had a mistaken concept of Gods blessings. Blessing and cursing are both temporal and eternal, the temporal being partial and mixed with sorrow, while the eternal is full and complete. He makes me lie down in green pastures. To belong to Christ is to belong to God as our Father and to be heirs of all that God owns that is, everything. - 2 Corinthians 9:8 Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. 101 See also Matthew 23:29-39; Acts 7:52. For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. At times like these, the Word of God becomes much more precious and meaningful: Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Thy word (Psalm 119:67). Photo Credit: Getty Images/Unsplash Read more Site Map About Us Help Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. Not one of them received the promised blessing. For example, in Luke 14:1314, he said, When you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. I love Jesuss logic: You will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. Strengthen and help me, Lord. When God promised Abraham that his seed was to be a blessing to all nations, this was a part of Abrahams blessing. To belong to Christ is to belong to God as our Father and to be heirs of all that God owns that is, everything. They are not experienced in time, but in eternity. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them (Hebrews 11:13-16). We will be shown mercy: They shall receive mercy (Matthew 5:7). 4:4,5). Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Their journey to the promised land held many trials. The son was just the beginning. Thats the New Testament pattern: sacrificial generosity and service now; spectacular blessing later at the resurrection. The trials and afflictions of the Israelites did not end with their exodus from Egypt. But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Revelation 21:1-8). Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous. Luke 14:12-14 (NIV), You will be blessed in every way, and you will be able to keep on being generous. You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on Gods interests, but mans. Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. These trials came from the hand of the God who had promised to bless them: And you shall remember all the way which the Lord your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. May he grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans! I am not happy. They are His to give; they are also His to withhold. Psalm 24:5. When Christians suffer for Christs sake, it is a blessing. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. Gods blessing is the overturning and removal of the curse due to sin. 1. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. How could it be that the blessed Son of God could suffer? They would do well to give more thought to the blessings of God as defined in Scripture. Deuteronomy 8:2-6; 28; 30:15-20 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing upon the man to whom God reckons righteousness apart from works: BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN, AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED. He leads me beside still waters. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. Job 1 and 2 Your basket and your kitchen will be blessed. But for Thy sake we are killed all day long; We are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. Bible verses about Blessings. In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-- having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of Gods own possession, to the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:3-14). All, as the writer informs us in verse 39, gained approval through their faith. All, as he also reminds us, did not receive what was promised (verse 39, see also Hebrews 11:13). In this glorious anthem, in which the apostle, tracing all to the Divine Fountain, enumerates the glorious privileges of the Church, and blesses God for them, he first (ver. Divine blessing refers to Gods purpose to bring about the good of an individual or nation, His proclamation of this purpose by His promise, and a program of bringing about this blessing which includes suffering and adversity. I have become a cynic when it comes to promises received in the mail. He suffered because of his impatience in acquiring a son through Hagar. In all that he does, he prospers. Woe to you who are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry. May these Scripture quotes increase your faith and trust in our Lord! The Lord will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes." Psalm 41:1-2 (NIV) . We must see that in the midst of our suffering, we are drawn nearer to God, and recognize this as true blessing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him (James 1:2-5). No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. Therefore his people return to this place; And waters of abundance are drunk by them. He also promised to make him a great nation (Genesis 12:2; 15:5; 17:5-6). R Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. As Asaph protested centuries ago in Psalm 73, the wicked may prosper, and the righteous may suffer. In My Fathers house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. (12) Gods temporal blessing is neither synonymous with prosperity nor incompatible with suffering. This bundle contains the Year of Blessing annual . And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. Routinely, such letters go in the trash without my even opening them. The great nation was still one seed, Jacob. G At the time of Sarahs death, the land of Canaan was possessed by the Canaanites (Genesis 12:6) and Abraham did not own any part of the promised land. Thou dost make us a byword among the nations, A laughingstock among the peoples. Biblical blessings are often associated with protection and happiness. Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be everyone who blesses you!. Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin.". And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind! I believe this is the dwelling of which our Lord Jesus spoke just before His death: Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. Pastor John, hello! Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. In the context of prayer, Paul prayed that he might have the Lord's prospering on his physical journey to visit the saints at Rome (Rom. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also (John 14:1-3). The Bereans "received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (Acts 17:10-11). Salem Media Group. His blessing is the reversal of the curse (see Genesis 12:1-3; Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28). Arouse Thyself, why dost Thou sleep, O Lord? All rights reserved. When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. When we understand the difference between Gods temporal blessings and His eternal blessings, we learn to expect suffering and trials as a part of His plan, and as a part of His program to bring about eternal blessing for us. A secondary goal is to accomplish the good of those who love God: And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. The term blessed is thrown around in our culture today, and its all over our Bibles too. God blesses the Christian by bearing our curse in the person of Jesus Christ. We must view such blessing and suffering as temporary and not eternal. For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him . C For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it. His master said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant. You are to give them the first portion of your ground meal so that a blessing may rest on your household. Ezekiel 44:30 (NIV), Give freely without begrudging it, and the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do. He blesses men out of His grace and curses out of His holiness. And in so doing, we actually miss the blessing God has for us in affliction. Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when aroused, Thou wilt despise their form. And on either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And I think one of the most illumining texts about how we are blessed as Christians which we are; I would say we are infinitely blessed is 1 Corinthians 3:2123. 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. Gods national blessings and cursings were conditional. Proud member There is no geographic center for Christianity. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. Temporal blessings are those blessings which God bestows upon sinful men, living in a fallen world, flowing from His grace. 104 Harold G. Stigers, A Commentary on Genesis (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1976), p. 135. These blessings are not fulfilled in this life, but in the next. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Matthew 5:3-11 (NIV), Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it. Luke 11:28 (NIV), Jesus said, Blessed are those who have not seen me and yet have believed. John 20:29 (NIV), In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35 (NIV), Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:3 (NIV), The man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it he will be blessed in what he does. James 1:25 (NIV), Even if you should suffer for what is right, you will be blessed. 1 Peter 3:14, If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 1 Peter 4:14 (NIV), If you cant carry that ten percent of your harvest to the place where the Lord chooses to be worshiped; if you live too far away, or if the Lord gives you a big harvest, then sell this part and take the money there instead. Deuteronomy 14:24-25 (CEV), You should be happy to give the poor what they need, because then the Lord will make you successful in everything you do. Deuteronomy 15:10 (CEV), Each man is to bring a gift as he is able, in proportion to the blessings that the Lord your God has given him. Deuteronomy 16:16-17 (TEV), Obey the Lord your God so that all these blessings will come and stay with you: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. on 03/30/2021. Death becomes your servant because of Christs triumph over death. The way human beings experience God's blessing changes with the redemptive storyline that traverses the major peaks of creation, fall, redemption, and final restoration. As to the first, many will claim that God loves and forgives us all unconditionally. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. D Their eye bulges from fatness; The imaginations of their heart run riot. A Psalm of David. What Does It Mean That There Is No One Holy Like God? What exactly do you believe those are?. O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols? Through suffering we are blessed in many ways: And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Romans 5:3-5). All things are yours. Jesus said, Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5). Moms come in all shapes and sizes, but one thing's for sureall moms need to connect with other moms! (1 Kings 10:1, 45). U 4-14. The difference between these two categories is not that one group has faith while the other does not. Blessings, Physical Then many people will thank God when we deliver your gift. 2 Corinthians 9:11 (CEV), If the place of worship is too far from your home for you to carry there the tithe of the produce that the Lord has blessed you with, then do his: Sell your produce and take the money with you to the one place of worship. Deuteronomy 14:24-25 (TEV), God blesses those who are kind to the poor and helpless. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Jesus said to him, Have you believed because you have seen me? Somehow, in Gods perfect plan and according to Gods promises, Gods blessings would not come apart from suffering. Matthew 16:21-27 In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fulness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things upon the earth. Philippians 4:19 trust Jesus. He suffered because of his deception concerning Sarah. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places. He blesses the Christian temporally by His presence, by producing our growth and maturity, and by creating a hunger for the full and final blessings of heaven. 5:18). (2) The Jews thought of Gods blessings in primarily physical and material terms and not in spiritual terms. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. How were these saints so successful? His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Psalm 112:1-2 (NIV), Blessed are those who keep my ways. Proverbs 8:32 (NIV), Each of these blessings depends on your not turning aside in any way from the laws I have given you; and you must never worship other gods. Deuteronomy 28:14 (Living), Blessed is the man you discipline, O Lord, the man you teach from your law. Psalm 94:12 (NIV), It is sin to despise ones neighbors; blessed are those who help the poor. Proverbs 14:21 (NLT), It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35 (NIV), A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. Proverbs 22:9 (NIV), Good people will be generous to others and will be blessed for all they do. Isaiah 32:8 (NLT), Blessed is the man who finds wisdom and gains understanding. Proverbs 3:13 (NIV), A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. Proverbs 28:20 (NIV), The Lords curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. Proverbs 3:33 (NIV), People curse the man who hoards grain, but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell. Proverbs 11:26 (NIV), He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy. Proverbs 14:21 (NIV), Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. Proverbs 16:20 (NIV), An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning will not be blessed at the end. Proverbs 20:21 (NIV), It will go well with those who convict the guilty and rich blessing will come upon them. Proverbs 24:25 (NIV), Blessed is the man who always fears the Lord but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble. Proverbs 28:14 (NIV), The Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. The Bible that you hold in your hand is aphysical book with a spiritual message. The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. Temporal blessings are incomplete and never without a measure of sorrow and suffering. This was the land of Canaan (Genesis 12:5-7; 13:14-15) whose boundaries were more fully defined in Genesis 15:18-21. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. Three Advantages You Gain From Trusting In God, i love belivers portal.very inspiring and informarive, Thanks for the efforts to compile this. The land of Canaan was not to be possessed until Abrahams offspring had been oppressed and enslaved for four hundred years. But if your heart turns away and you will not obey, but are drawn away and worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today that you shall surely perish. Of how much more value are you than the birds! Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. You do not have to fear the future when God's hand is over your life. In God we have boasted all day long, And we will give thanks to Thy name forever. They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow; they shall flourish like the grain; they shall blossom like the vine; their fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon. Well, normally we do rejoice in a merciful God who forgives. The writer may have meant that they were given promises, but they did not receive them. (2) In what ways does God bless all men? The Lord your God will bless your work and everything you touch. Deuteronomy 15:10 (NCV), Blessed is the man who trusts in you. Psalm 84:12 (NIV), If the place of worship is too far from your home for you to carry there the tithe of the produce that the Lord has blessed you with, then do this: Sell your produce and take the money with you to the one place of worship. Deuteronomy 14:24-25 (TEV), Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord. Psalm 89:15 (NIV), Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right. Psalm 106:3 (NIV), Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways. Psalm 128:1 (NIV), Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble. Exodus 1:5-22 We must therefore live by faith. In summing up his life before Pharaoh, Jacob gave an account not of unceasing bliss but of much affliction: So Jacob said to Pharaoh, The years of my sojourning are one hundred and thirty; few and unpleasant have been the years of my life, nor have they attained the years that my fathers lived during the days of their sojourning (Genesis 47:9). God's blessings are meant to protect us, guide us to the path of righteousness, and give us hope. This false view of blessing justifies ones expectations of no pain and all pleasure in this life. Neither do we have basis for complaint if and when He withholds His blessings. Are we becoming more like Jesus by the power of the Spirit? Restore unto me the joy of my salvation, Father. Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. His blessings are offered in the form of a promise, and this promise must be believed by faith (see Genesis 15:1-6). He shall receive a blessing from the Lord. And there shall no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His bond-servants shall serve Him; and they shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless. The promised blessings of the Bible are the good which God has purposed and promised. (3) What is the relationship between blessing, faith, and obedience? The Christian life should be lived out in the light of the superiority of Gods promised blessings in comparison to the blessings an ungodly world holds out to us (Hebrews 11:24-26).