I began watching a show that was made in Turkey. When they started talking in Turkish, I thought to myself, “Great. Subtitles.” But after the first episode I was hooked. In the series, the people are always giving blessings or asking to be blessed. This pricked my interest and caused me to do some research about blessings.
Have you ever had a blessing bestowed upon you?
One of my former pastors would always end the church services with a benediction by quoting the verse from Ephesians 3:20-22. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen – NIV. Wow! Our church was blessed.
What is a blessing?
It is the act or words of one that blesses; a thing conductive to happiness or welfare. The English definition of blessing is to pronounce words in a religious rite, to confer or invoke divine favor upon; ask God to look favorably on. When we praise someone, we are speaking highly of them. We are giving them honor.
Where do blessings come from?
There is only one source. God! Ephesians 1:3 “Through Christ God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing that heaven has to offer.”
How important are blessings?
The story about Jacob and Esau always intrigues me, the twin brothers born to Isaac and Rebekah. They were destined to struggled with each other just as they did while in Rebekah’s womb. Esau was born first and became heir to the family birthright. The birthright consisted of 1) leadership in worship and headship in the family; 2) a double portion of the inheritance; and 3) the title to the covenant blessing that God had promised to Abraham.
Esau became a skillful hunter while Jacob is described as a plain man, meaning he was perfect, upright, and undefiled. One day Esau came back from a hunting trip and saw that Jacob was cooking stew. Esau says, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!”
Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.”
“Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?”
But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So Esau swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left.
Wow. Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of soup. This reveals how little value he placed on God’s blessings and covenant promises. He foolishly chose to trade future long range blessings for present momentary pleasures.
Man, I’m so glad that I am not Esau. His stupid choice is forever penned in the Bible for everyone to see, from generation to generation. How do you live that one down? Hmmm . . . I don’t think you can. But Jacob, the second born, received the blessing.
Okay, that’s great but really is it just a title or something you say as a tradition. No! Remember the story about Joseph with the colorful coat traded by his brothers into slavery and then he ended up saving the nation of Israel from starvation? How about Moses who lead the Israelites out of bondage from Egypt into the promise land. What about King David, the one who killed the giant, Goliath? Then, the greatest of all, Jesus the Messiah? All these guys came from Jacob’s line.
There is something important about blessings. When God gives a blessing, it’s nothing to snort at. There is more to it than just words, it is a generational gift.
God has blessed me beyond measure with so much in my life. But, is there something important about blessings that I am missing out on? I have been racking my brain trying to remember if I have had a blessing bestowed on me. I think I have. This makes me sad that I didn’t cherish it enough to treasure it in my heart.
My next question is, “How do I receive a blessing?”
I reached out to my pastor asking him what his thoughts were about blessings. He graciously sent me the text of one of his messages he did a few years ago. In it he writes three points: 1) God blesses people who trust him, 2) God blesses people who believe in Him, and 3) God blesses people who expect Him to bless them.
Hebrews 11:1 – Only faith can guarantee the blessings we hope for.
Is that all there is? All I have to do is trust God and believe in Him? Is it really that easy? Yes, God likes to shower blessings on His children with no strings attached. All He asks is that we trust Him and have faith.
2 Corinthians 9:8 – God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything.
Writing this piece for the blog has given me a new appreciation for the blessings that God bestows on me. I want my life to be full of blessings that affect my family, my children, their children, and their children. I don’t want to be a dope who sells out their blessings for a bowl of soup. I will treasure them in my heart to never forget.
How about you?
For a couple of weeks I have been listening to a song called The Blessing from Elevation Worship. What an amazing song. Take some time and listen to this inspirational video found online, you truly will be blessed. I have included the powerful words of the song below.
May 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
Gwen
The Blessing
Elevation Worship, Kari Jobe, …
The Lord bless you
And keep you
Make His face shine upon you
And be gracious to you
The Lord turn His
Face toward you
And give you peace
The Lord bless you
And keep you
Make His face shine upon you
And be gracious to you
The Lord turn His
Face toward you
And give you peace
Amen, amen, amen
Amen, amen, amen
The Lord bless you
And keep you
Make His face shine upon you
And be gracious to you
The Lord turn His
Face toward you
And give you peace
As we receive, we agree, amen
Amen, amen, amen
Amen, amen, amen (amen, amen)
Amen, amen, amen
Amen, amen, amen
May His favor be upon you
And a thousand generations
Your family and your children
And their children, and their children
May His favor be upon you
And a thousand generations
And your family and your children
And their children, and their children
May His favor be upon you
And a thousand generations
And your family and your children
And their children, and their children
May His favor be upon you
And a thousand generations
And your family and your children
And their children, and their children
May His presence go before you
And behind you, and beside you
All around you, and within you
He is with you, He is with you
In the morning, in the evening
In your coming, and your going
In your weeping, and rejoicing
He is for you, He is for you
He is for you, He is for you
He is for you, He is for you
He is for you, He is for you
Amen, amen, amen
Amen, amen, amen (may His favor)
May His favor be upon you
And a thousand generations
And your family and your children
And their children, and their children
May His presence go before you
And behind you, and beside you
All around you, and within you
He is with you, He is with you
In the morning, in the evening
In your coming, and your going
In your weeping, and rejoicing
He is for you, He is for you
He is for you, He is for you
He is for you, He is for you
He is for you, He is for you
He is for you, He is for you
He is for you
Oh He is for you
Oh (amen, amen)
Amen, amen, amen
Amen, amen, amen
May His favor be upon you
And a thousand generations
And your family and your children
Their children, and their children (may his presence)
May His presence go before you
And behind you, and beside you
All around you, and within you
He is with you, He is with you (in the morning)
In the morning (in the evening), in the evening
In your coming, and your going
In your weeping, and rejoicing
He is for you (He is for you), He is for you (He is for you)
He is for you (He is for you), He is for you (He is for you)
He is for you (He is for you), He is for you (He is for you)
He is for you, He is for you
He is for you, He is for you
Songwriters: Christopher Joel Brown / Cody Carnes / Kari Brooke Jobe / Steven Furtick
The Blessing lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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