Men are not only condemned because they are destined to destruction, but because they deserve it and have decided for it (see Genesis 12:1-3; Deuteronomy 28; John 3:18; Revelation 16:5-6). We seek to obey God when we used to delight in disobedience. C PO Box 756 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. These are not always material blessings, however. AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as a favor, but as what is due. Copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. You shall serve the Lord your God, and he will bless your bread and your water, and I will take sickness away from among you. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. The story of the rich man and Lazarus underscore this principle (see Luke 16:19-31). Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? May these Scripture quotes increase your faith and trust in our Lord! Compiled by The BibleStudyTools Staff 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. All of the prophets of Israel were resisted, rejected, and persecuted because they spoke to men for God: And the Lord, the God of their fathers, sent word to them again and again by His messengers, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place; but they continually mocked the messengers of God, despised His words and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, until there was no remedy (2 Chronicles 36:15-16).101. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. They are not experienced in time, but in eternity. Berean Bible Society Do not fear what you are about to suffer. It is in Christ, the seed of Abraham, that we are blessed. Oh, God, help us to live with faith. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. (5) God is able to bless men because He has borne their curse in Christ, and thus His holiness is maintained in His grace (see Romans 3:24-26). It is that New Jerusalem which comes down from heaven at our Lords return (Revelation 21:1-2). They are paupers I mean, poverty-stricken paupers compared to the lowliest Christian. He blesses only Christians spiritually and eternally. 11:23-26). Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. Q And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. It is by blessing Him that we enjoy Gods blessings, rather than the curse of sin. By faith, these saints conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises,103 shut the mouths of lions, received their dead back to life, and so on. Of how much more value are you than the birds! "Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country. Just a few - of many - New Testament texts make this clear: Mark 1:4-5 And so John the Baptist appeared . For he strengthens the bars of your gates; he blesses your children within you. He helps them out of their own troubles. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. You do not have to fear the future when God's hand is over your life. Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge, That I may tell of all Thy works (Psalm 73:1-28). Where Moms Connect is a unique mom's ministry curriculum that brings women together and helps them connect naturally, through discussion, Bible study and fun. 1 Chron 23:13. If you have not trusted in Gods promise of blessing in Jesus Christ, then you are under the curse of sin. Verses 3-14. Psalm 22; 24:3-6; 44; 73; 78; 94:12; 119:67, 71, 75, 92 Their identification with Jesus Christ had brought on them the reproach of Christ and the opposition and persecution of unbelieving Jews. God's blessings are meant to protect us, guide us to the path of righteousness, and give us hope. To those who equated wealth and ease with piety and the blessing of God, the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) was shocking and disturbing. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. (1 Kings 10:1, 45). Eve was cursed with pain in child-bearing and with the dominion of her husband over her. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit., Saying, If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer.. Undergrace, eating a ham sandwich is acceptable. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage! . If we get hungry for God and follow his commands if we seek spiritual growth, physical blessing will follow. The full and final blessing of God is not accompanied with sorrow. Whether God in His goodness enables us to succeed, or whether His grace enables us to endure our suffering, let us realize that God is able to make use of suffering to produce blessings. All things are yours. Jesus said, Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5). They suffered for Gods sake and not for their own sins (Psalm 44:22). Often, the Old Testament Israelite had a mistaken concept of Gods blessings. Jesus simply did not fit the mold of Jewish expectations. Our prayers reveal an understanding of Gods blessings virtually identical with the mistaken view of the Jews in Jesus day. His blessings are offered in the form of a promise, and this promise must be believed by faith (see Genesis 15:1-6). The Israelites were greatly blessed in number while they sojourned in Egypt (Exodus 1:5-7). How Daniels Prophecy of 70 Weeks Connects to the End Times. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Our text speaks only of Old Testament saints. Zechariah 8:13; 14:11 God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places. Verse Concepts. But Thou hast saved us from our adversaries, And Thou hast put to shame those who hate us. They would do especially well to give careful thought to this text in Hebrews: And what more shall I say? I know, O Lord, that Thy judgments are righteous, And that in faithfulness Thou hast afflicted me (Psalm 119:75). 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). 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). The plan of God is to bring about His own glory and the Christians good (or blessing). Pastor John, hello! You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing. But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling; My steps had almost slipped. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. May God give you of the dew of heaven and of the fatness of the earth and plenty of grain and wine. 4-14. In God we have boasted all day long, And we will give thanks to Thy name forever. The Lord will command the blessing on you in your barns and in all that you undertake. I know that no matter how good their promises sound, they simply are not true. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. He blesses men out of His grace and curses out of His holiness. Bible prophecy reveals that the descendants of Esau will exist in the end time. Being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. It is the blessing to which Abraham and every other Old Testament saint looked forward. Paul later put it this way: But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. Salem Media Group. A Psalm of David. And is there knowledge with the Most High? Behold, these are the wicked; And always at ease, they have increased in wealth. The Jews thought of God's blessings in primarily physical and . Blessings, Physical I have become a cynic when it comes to promises received in the mail. R Gods blessings are based upon His grace and not our works. Bob was born and raised in a Christian home i More, The Net Pastors Journal, Eng. For I was envious of the arrogant, As I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 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. That is why I am commanding you to share your resources freely with the poor and with others in need. Deuteronomy 15:10-11 (NLT), Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in his times of trouble. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. The ultimate good is that which manifests Gods glory. But that forgiveness is not always guaranteed, and is usually conditional on our repentance. He looked for a heavenly city, a city which God would prepare. (6) How can a clear understanding of divine blessings help us to better understand Gods eternal plan, especially as it relates to man? He struggled with Esau from the womb until the day he left Canaan. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. Such eternal blessings are far greater than any temporary physical blessings we could receive. June 10, 2013. This is not a blessing. Why dost Thou hide Thy face, And forget our affliction and our oppression? I must do whatever it takes to be happy, even if that involves disobedience to Gods revealed Word.. A beautiful way to begin any new year is with a dox Eternal blessings are full and complete, the enjoyment of physical and material prosperity, the full manifestation of Gods goodness and glory, and the absence of sin, Satan, death, and the curse. When Christians suffer for Christs sake, it is a blessing. Gods promise to Abraham included a land and a seed. Abrahams seed was to begin with a son. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. What is the basis for blessing and cursing? And there shall no longer be any night; and they shall not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God shall illumine them; and they shall reign forever and ever (Revelation 22:1-5). Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. 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). And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. As I conclude this lesson, let me share a quotation by Harold Stigers in his commentary of the Book of Genesis: God designs certain tests and trials in regard to earthly things so that we may see that our inheritance resides in God Himself--in our finding them nothing without Him, and Him everything even without them.104. Living in the midst of a fallen world itself suffering from the curse of sin (Romans 8:18-25) results in a suffering of soul for the Christian. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Paul says, "The world is yours. (2) In what ways does God bless all men? A Study of God's Plan for Man. Blessing and cursing are both temporal and eternal, the temporal being partial and mixed with sorrow, while the eternal is full and complete. And he said, Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake (Matthew 5:10). The suffering of some saints should be no more troublesome to us than the success of some saints, or even the success of some sinners. Peter, who once rejected the idea of suffering, later has much to say about suffering in his epistles. Let's take a close look at blessing from the bible: who blesses who, how we receive blessings, how we give blessings, physical versus spiritual blessings, and finally how the flow of blessing can influence our prayers. We must therefore live by faith. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. 1 Corinthians 11:1-2 ESV / 21 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. 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. At other times, Israels suffering was not due to her unbelief and rebellion. List Of Bible Prophecies Not Yet Fulfilled. The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. 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. 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. Psalm 21:6. It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Thy statutes (Psalm 119:71). (From Forerunner Commentary). Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. Blessings have to do with God's Kingdom. 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. When affliction comes into our life, we do not pray for Gods grace, nor do we ask God for wisdom, patience, or endurance. Phone: (262) 255-4750 This was the land of Canaan (Genesis 12:5-7; 13:14-15) whose boundaries were more fully defined in Genesis 15:18-21. Job 1 and 2 You cannot be richer than a Christian. Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. Of late I have been having discussions with my friends around what it means to be blessed. (13) Adversity and suffering is not synonymous with sin and cursing. Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He will love you, bless you, and multiply you. How is it related to cursing? The rich man spent eternity in hell while Lazarus spent eternity enjoying the blessings God promised in Abraham. The reason, we are told, is that God wanted them to enter into blessings with us, at the same time. (4) The Jews of Jesus day thought of Gods blessings not in terms of grace but in terms of works. Philippians 4:19 trust Jesus. We will be part of Gods family: They shall be called sons of God (Matthew 5:9).