Amazingly Blessed

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, . . . . by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:1–22)

Read it again and again. The marvel of the gospel means that the OT Israelites chosen by God to reveal Him to the world, and those who believe in Jesus as their messiah are now one group — God's people. Back then, the people of God were identified by circumcision and law-keeping. Now we are identified by faith, a grace-gift from the God who loves us and sent His Son to take our punishment for sin and give us life.

I picture in my mind the people of God who trust Jesus and at that moment of faith, He comes to live in us. No matter what we look like or the color of our skin, or our age, or our culture, or our background, or what our sins looked like, His very presence in our hearts and lives puts us in His family. We are one.

I see it visually during communion when hundreds go forward to remember His death for us. I experience it in my prayer group when the four of us are filled with the Spirit and incredible harmony in our understanding. It happens when I meet a stranger and we talk about our relationship with God with mutual agreement of how He is working in our lives. And I am overwhelmed by it when I read these verses just after hearing the daily news filled with reports of the conflict and troubles in this world. No matter what, the family of God is united in Jesus Christ. The news can fill me with negative emotions, but thinking about who God’s family is and our togetherness in Him gives me great joy and peace. He takes care of us and our confidence is in Him, not in our own abilities. Such a wonder.

Again, how I love You, Jesus. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day, yet no special day is needed to be thankful for You, the only One who blesses and keeps us in Your care because of Your great love. May each family member that You have blessed be truly thankful, for we have such an amazing Father who loves us and sent You to die and rise again so we can be with You forever. 

 

Created for our blessing

Weeks ago I heard that “all the world’s problems would vanish if everyone was thankful” and while this quote astonishes many, the truth of it keeps coming back, sometimes as a hug and sometimes as a kick in the pants. How can I gripe? God reminds me often of His blessings. 
Today, reading Charnock’s section on God’s goodness, I am reminded again and will try to condense what he wrote and be thankful for who God is and all that He does…

God richly furnished the world for us, not a palace for Himself but all the  ‘furniture’ is for us as a mark of His goodness. He covered it with a glorious heaven, floored it with a solid earth spread adorned with a splendid tapestry. At first, waters covered the earth, but He drained them into the proper channels that they turn not again to “cover the earth” but to provide for our needs.

He set up lights in the heaven to direct us and regulate the seasons. Both sun and moon light the earth. The air is His aviary, the sea and rivers His fish-ponds, the valleys His granary, the mountains His decor, yet the creatures are for our nourishment, plus metals for our use, plants to maintain our lives; rain that renders the earth fruitful, and He gives all that will nourish and delight us.

He gives for our welfare, either as food to nourish us when we are healthy, or as medicine to cure us when we are not, or garments to clothe us when we are naked or cold, or refreshment when we are weary, or delight when we are sad. He adds what is necessity for ornament, either to spread our table or beautify our dwellings, or furnish our closets, or store our possessions. 

The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew. My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. (Proverbs 3:19–22)
O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all. . . .   (Psalm 104:24)

He gave us a variety of senses and provided a variety of delights for every sense; the beauty of light and color, the harmony of sound, the fragrancy of odor, and delicious tastes for our palates. He makes us enjoyers as well as spectators, and gives us to use as well as see and knowledge by putting the sun in the heavens to expose all beauty and convenience to our sight; and the candle of the Lord in us to expose all their inward qualities and helpfulness to our knowledge, that we might be served by and rejoice in all of His Creation. He not only appeals to our curiosity, but gratifies our senses. He even provides places to live, not like Eden yet whatever will meet our needs.

While we grumble over the hard work and challenges that came as a result of the first people eating from the one tree forbidden to them, we cannot say that tree was a sign of God's ill-will toward us. The problems we have are a result of saying no to Him and being unthankful for this  God who only wants the very best for us.

And they captured fortified cities and a rich land, and took possession of houses full of all good things, cisterns already hewn, vineyards, olive orchards and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate and were filled and became fat and delighted themselves in your great goodness. Nevertheless, they were disobedient and rebelled against you and cast your law behind their back and killed your prophets, who had warned them in order to turn them back to you, and they committed great blasphemies. (Nehemiah 9:25–26)

PRAY: Oh dear Jesus, You have put me here in a bountiful place — like a city with well-furnished shops, all kinds of commodities, yet I so easily miss or ignore Your goodness. Forgive me for lack of thankfulness at times — when You are so faithful to provide all things for my needs and my use. You answer small and large prayers, and take care of every problem and even quickly inform me of my part in creating them, and my need to confess and repent. I’m tired of falling short, longing for the perfection that lies ahead, yet know that Your plans for me remain and that You will use the events of life, even my own resistance and foolishness to teach and shape me so I will always delight in You and be thankful for all things. You are loving me in this place and I am so slow to learn and be thankful for Your great goodness.

Blessings and the ultimate blessing

Genesis 47-50 

Genesis ends with Jacob’s family settled in Egypt. Yet the passing of the patriarchs marks the beginning, not the end, of what God will do in the lives of the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  

I'm encouraged that the passing of one generation is not the end. As I trust God, I can say to our children, “God will be with you” and rely on Him to work out His purpose in their lives, a good thought as grow older.  

When Joseph's family arrived in Egypt, he settled them on prime Egyptian land. Jacob counted Joseph’s 2 sons as his own, and blessed all 13 before he died. Then Joseph buried his father, reaffirmed his forgiveness of his brothers, and obtained a promise that when God brought their offspring back to Canaan, Joseph’s bones would be returned to his homeland.  

Two things stand out in my mind. First is that the patriarchal culture put an emphasis on the birthright and special privileges of the firstborn. Also important was the blessing, usually given to the oldest son, but also to the entire family. As Jacob neared the end of his life, he called his sons around him and blessed them. Here are two examples: 

“Simeon and Levi are brothers; weapons of violence are their swords. Let my soul come not into their council; O my glory, be not joined to their company. For in their anger they killed men, and in their willfulness they hamstrung oxen. Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce, and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel. 

“Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father's sons shall bow down before you. Judah is a lion's cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. . . ." (Genesis 49:5-10). 

A few contemporary theologians and authors have picked up on this custom and exhorted Christian parents on the necessity of "blessing" our children. While encouraging them is vital, it is easy to miss how closely Jacob's words were to prophecy. He wasn’t merely telling them what he desired for their lives, but looking ahead with prophetic vision to what their lives would actually become based somewhat on their current character. 

Simeon and Levi's 'blessing' didn't seem like one. In Judah's case, it was very positive, even looking ahead to what the life of his descendant would be, pointing to Jesus Christ. 

Would I bless my children the same way? If God give me a clear view of the future and it didn't look too good, would I be able to tell them, or even believe God. If their future was to be bleak instead of prosperous, could I call it a 'blessing'? My affection and my bias could not give an objective blessing. I could only offer my deepest desires, all positive of course. 

The other part of these four chapters that touches my heart and boosts my faith is when the brothers came to Joseph after Jacob died. They were fearful that now he would take revenge for what they had done to him many years before. But Joseph wept when they spoke to him. He said, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them." (Genesis 50:17-21) 

Joseph was a man of integrity and a good example of how to respond to my God. He is a God of ultimate kindness and grace. He does work all things together for the good of His people. He assures me when I am fearful, and takes care of all my needs. 

Blessing — goes both ways

In Hebrew, bless means to kneel down, adore, and is often used of our response to God. In Greek, this word is to give blessing, make happy, even speak well of, and often refers what God does for us. These verses contain both ideas.

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103:2–5)

Because of what God does, I bow before Him in adoration. He blesses me; I bless Him. If all that He does in blessing me speaks of how I should respond to Him, then there are some interesting implications.

For instance, God forgives all my iniquities. My sins are real and an affront to Him and to His holiness. What about reversing this? What about those “evil” things that happen to me, things that I know are under the sovereign control of Almighty God. Do I think God has sinned? Do I need to “forgive” Him?

Even though God has not sinned against me, I can be upset and angry at circumstances in my life. Because God is in charge, isn’t a complaining attitude very much the same as being angry at Him? If He blesses me with forgiveness, the least I can do is bless Him with acceptance, even thanksgiving. To bless God means to speak well of Him, even when life seems unfair.

Tied to this is the next line; He heals all my diseases. God has no sin or sickness for which I could bless with healing. However, do I ever think that He has made mistakes, is careless or forgetful — as if He has no consideration and some sort of dementia? My attitude toward life and the events of life is a direct reflection of my view of God. Do I bless Him when life seems skewed, remembering that He is totally whole and well and without flaw?

These verses talk about redemption from the pit. God redeemed me from a life of sin. This is the core of why I ought to always bless Him. There is no counterpart in Him where this can be a two-way blessing. He is the sinless Savior. I am the undeserving sinner. But I can bless Him with steadfast love. I can satisfy Him with good thoughts, good words, good deeds. He has done so much for me.

In blessing God, I remember all His blessings on my life. But even in the act of blessing Him, He turns it to become a blessing for me! Offering Him praise and adoration results in a renewal of my own spirit. When I am thankful for all that He does, my energy returns. He makes me feel young again.

Do I realize how heavy is the weight of thankless griping? I know guilt adds lines to my face, but do I realize that a constant resistance to His will takes its toll also? When I am upset with people, am I not seeking the will of God but my own? When I am upset with life’s events, big and small, am I not angry at God for not letting me have my own way?

Further, some of the biggest tests of life are little things like my response to being misunderstood, or interrupted, or ignored. The hand of God offers blessing. Those blessings can be hidden in trials, even those trials. He does say to rejoice when negatives happen (James 1) for He has purpose in them for my good. Can I bless God in trials, even the small ones that I generally think are annoyances in my life?

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God, I asked this morning for light that I would need today. Right now, the sun is shining and all is peaceful and calm. Do You have some small tests in mind for me? Will You be looking for a blessing even if the events of this day are unpleasant from my perspective?  Or will this day continue as it started making it easy to praise Your name?

Forgive me for sometimes being a fair-weather follower that blesses You only when I like what You are doing. Your blessings are not like that. You bless me no matter what I say and do. You take care of me even though I do not deserve even the least of Your blessings. May I speak well of You and adore You no matter what happens today or any day.

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! (Psalm 103:1)