BLESSED

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 – Ephesians 1:3

Paul “blessed” – praised and worshipped – God who has BLESSED us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. It’s usual to greet family and friends with the words “God bless you” or “You are blessed.” Some people, especially on social media, even say that they ‘feel’ blessed. People often connect the notion of being blessed to events and happenings such as celebrating an event, having promotion at work, gaining an unexpected raise or obtaining a University admission. As Christians, we ask God in prayers to “bless” our marriages, families, career, endeavours, and callings. We talk about lives and ministries being blessed. But what does it really mean to be blessed? How should we understand God’s blessing?

The blessed life surely includes, but is not synonymous with a healthy body, a loving marriage, obedient children, a vibrant ministry, a successful career, trusted friends, and financial abundance. If these are the essential characteristics of a blessed life, then having all of them should translate into a perfectly blessed life. But does it? If someone had all those things, would they be considered as being extraordinarily blessed? Not likely so. Rather than acknowledge God, such people tend to feel self-sufficient, self-righteous, and proud; assuming that their efforts and diligence yielded fruit. Moreover, they wouldn’t need to trust God; they could trust in themselves. They wouldn’t need God to fill them; they would already be self-satisfied.

God’s richest blessings are spiritual, not temporal; and every believer has already been potentially blessed (Eph.1:3). Earthly blessings are temporary; they fizzle away. Job’s riches and affluence disappeared in one fateful day. Life’s comforts could be stripped away within split seconds. Our desires for God are essentially fuelled by our needs; and it is in the areas of lack that we feel our needs most intensely. These desires keep us on our knees; deepen our prayer lives; and send us in search of God’s promises in His Word. It is often in the midst of trials that we experience God’s richest blessings: a stronger faith; a deeper love; the anchor of hope; and a more intimate walk with God. Challenges and trials can establish our faith in ways that prosperity and abundance never could. That does however not take away from the importance of prosperity.

Most of the New Testament references to the words ‘bless’, ‘blessed’ or ‘blessing’ are connected with spiritual rather than material prosperity. The material is meaningful only as it complements the eternal (3Jh.1:2).Consider these:

• Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted (Mt.5:3-4)

• Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for there is the kingdom of God (Mt.5:10)

• But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it!” (Lk.11:28)

• Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him (Jasm.1:12).

The Greek word translated blessed is makarioi which means to be fully satisfied. This refers to those receiving God’s favour, regardless of the circumstances. Paul spoke of having learned to be content whatever his circumstances (Phi.4:11-13).  Scripture shows that blessing is anything God gives that makes us fully satisfied in Him; that draws us closer to Jesus; and helps us relinquish the temporal and hold on more tightly to the eternal. It matters least if these came through tough trials, aching challenges or long-term longings. When you are truly blessed, you know that God is for you and with you and in you. Great families, financial wealth, and good health are all wonderful gifts that we are grateful to God for, but they only complement the greatest blessings – faith, hope, love (1Cor.13:13); a fruitful life (Jh.15:1-5); and a wholly sanctified life (1The.5:23). God wants us to delight in Him – the Giver – than in His gifts. Then, we would never be denied any of His gifts.