You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. Pastor Sadler, you referred to our having physical blessings today. What the Bible says about Blessings, Physical ( From Forerunner Commentary ) Proverbs 3:9-10 By paying to God what we owe Him (that is, His tithes), He rewards us with blessings. E With Thy counsel Thou wilt guide me, And afterward receive me to glory. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. We now loathe that which we once loved. Psalm 24:5. There are no places to do pilgrimages in Christianity. Their journey to the promised land held many trials. BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT (Romans 4:3-8). In Christ, God bore the curse of sin and death and provided for us eternal life in its place. I call that the showcasing of the blessing of God on the people of God in the Old Testament. Those honest enough to admit it reason something like this: God wants to bless me. 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. 6:8). Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" ( Matthew 5:5 ). This leads us right into the fourth blessing ( Ephesians 1:7 ), the redemption through His blood. How will Abraham be blessed, and how will he become a blessing to others? I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. So death works in us, but life in you. These are the blessings our Lord Himself brings to pass in His second coming. While not a pleasant experience in itself, suffering can be the source of comfort and assurance. 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. Luke 6:20-28; 16:19-31 Biblical blessings are often associated with protection and happiness. By paying to God what we owe Him (that is, His tithes), He rewards us with blessings. Every word in the Bible is for us; for our learning. Though Esau would not receive the physical blessings passed down from Abraham, Isaac did give him a smaller blessing of limited agricultural blessings . For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just. Thats the orientation of Jesus Christ the king. Surely Thou dost set them in slippery places; Thou dost cast them down to destruction. What the Bible teaches is that the physical blessings to these people will continue until and after Christ's return. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. While we are primarily blessed with all spiritual blessingsin the heavenlies (Eph. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. How is it related to cursing? It is in Christ, the seed of Abraham, that we are blessed. Put the bounce back in my step, the smile back on my face, and the dance back in my feet. Galatians 3 But in addition to the deserved suffering of Israel, many godly Israelites suffered. 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. Perhaps best of all, our suffering for Christs sake deepens our love for our Lord and our fellowship with Him: More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. In everything [not just some thingsand not just spiritual things] give thanks: for this is thewill of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (I Thes. The simple fact is that our prayers betray us. Philippians 4:19 trust Jesus. The Bible that you hold in your hand is aphysical book with a spiritual message. 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), Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you. Deuteronomy 16:17 (NIV), Blessed is the man whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and on is word he meditates day and night. 1. The blessing of God directly relates to two matters: (1) the overcoming of Gods curse, and (2) the cursing of Satan which promises his condemnation and destruction. What exactly do you believe those are?. The very food we eat everyday would also be classified aphysical blessing. Revelation 21 and 22. The apostle John heard a voice from heaven saying, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord (Revelation 14:13). For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.. As we study the promised blessings of God, my hope is that the present pleasures of this life will fade in the light of the glory awaiting us. Jacob struggled with Laban (see Genesis 31:42). The promised blessings of the Bible are the good which God has purposed and promised. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 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. And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 1 Peter 2:21; 3:8-9, 13-17; 4:1, 14-16 Next we will look at our Lords teaching on blessing before turning to the rest of the New Testament to study divine blessing. P But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. The land of Canaan was not to be possessed until Abrahams offspring had been oppressed and enslaved for four hundred years. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. 102 This is not to say they do not believe in spiritual and eternal blessings, but only that their emphasis is on present material prosperity. Some preachers and teachers promise Gods blessings as confidently as the mail promises a free gift. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. However there are too many repetition eliminate some of the duplication. Divine blessing in the Bible is always physical and spiritual because it is fixed upon the reality of the fullness of life in the presence of God. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. Bible Verses About Blessings and Prosperity. "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. He helps them out of their own troubles. These are not always material blessings, however. Just a few - of many - New Testament texts make this clear: Mark 1:4-5 And so John the Baptist appeared . Put it at the disposal of me and my mission. Thats the kind of radical life were called to live in the New Testament. I believe this text provides the key to understanding Gods blessings, especially their relationship to suffering and adversity. Use these Bible verses to remind you of the many blessing you can claim as a child of God! The Lord will bless you with full barns, and he will bless everything you do. Deuteronomy 28:2-8 (NCV), I will also bless the Gentiles who commit themselves to the Lord and serve him and love his name, who worship him and do not desecrate the Sabbath day of rest, and who have accepted his covenant. Isaiah 56:6 (NLT), A beautiful palace does not make a great king! 5:18). Or heres the way James puts it: 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 (James 1:12). While we should not seek suffering in this life, we should expect it, recognizing it as a part of the plan of a loving God who is bringing about our good and His glory. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Thus, the blessings of the Old Testament are partial and provisional. He said, "I am the God that healeth thee." . Geocoding Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. Christ is the source of all our blessings; indeed, He is the blessing: 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 before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. So Jotham became mighty, because he ordered his ways before the Lord his God. There will always be some among you who are poor. 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. 103 Notice that while these saints obtained promises (verse 33) they did not receive what was promised (verse 39). 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. Gods blessing is the overturning and removal of the curse due to sin. Such eternal blessings are far greater than any temporary physical blessings we could receive. (4) The Jews of Jesus day thought of Gods blessings not in terms of grace but in terms of works. If suffering is meant to result in our spiritual growth, in a deeper level of commitment, and in greater intimacy and communion with our Lord, we must accept suffering as a part of Gods good and perfect plan for our lives, one purposed to result in our good, in a blessing for us. They mock, and wickedly speak of oppression; They speak from on high. 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. To me, it seems like the way God uses blessed or blessings in the Bible is very different from how its used now. When Adam and Eve disobeyed the command of God and sinned in the Garden of Eden, sin entered the human race. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts. 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. The apostle instructed Timothy, having food and raimentlet us be therewith content (I Tim. Our very clothing is a physical blessing. D of I A Study of God's Plan for Man. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 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). If Thy law had not been my delight, Then I would have perished in my affliction (Psalm 119:92). But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. See what over 150,000 subscribers are already receiving each day. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. Visit the Bible online to search for words if you dont know the specific passage yourre looking for. If we would understand what in the world God is doing in these days, we must understand what the Bible teaches about divine blessing. U Blessing may be accomplished by what appears to be Gods cursing. Judaisms errors concerning divine blessings can be summed up in these statements. Were on a mission to change that. The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. There is a sense in which our suffering bears testimony to the end of sins dominion in our lives (1 Peter 4:1). Transcript Craig Scott Pastor, United Church of God All of this made no sense to the Jews. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toilthis is the gift of God. 4:4,5). For I was envious of the arrogant, As I saw the prosperity of the wicked. Browse the best Bible verses about blessings in this collection of scripture quotes: Photo credit: GettyImages/Digitalskillet. In the early days of Davids life, he was misunderstood and chided by his brothers (1 Samuel 17:20-30). 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). Gods blessings took time to fulfill, and the process of fulfillment involved suffering and adversity. Selah. Thats in the list: All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death. Death is yours. In order to receive God's spiritual blessings, one must be in the right spiritual location, that is, in Christ. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. God is strong, and he wants you strong. Christians often find their third tithe years to be abundant with all types of blessings and invaluable lessons learned. 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. And he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street. Deuteronomy 28:1-2. Your children will be blessed, as well as your crops; your herds will be blessed with calves and your flocks with lambs. 1. 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. Psalm 21:6. 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. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them (Deuteronomy 30:15-20). As to the first, many will claim that God loves and forgives us all unconditionally. Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. It is that New Jerusalem which comes down from heaven at our Lords return (Revelation 21:1-2). Proud member Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023, What in the World Is Going On? You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. If a nation repented of its sin and turned to God, its threatened judgment could be averted. Verse Concepts. We will never share your personal information and you can unsubscribe at any time. Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. While we are clothedspiritually in Christs righteousness, I wouldnt advise leavinghome physically unclothed. Why dost Thou hide Thy face, And forget our affliction and our oppression? B If a nation turned from God, its promised blessings would be taken away: At one moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to uproot, to pull down, or to destroy it; if that nation against which I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent concerning the calamity I planned to bring on it. He blesses men out of His grace and curses out of His holiness. Here are 20 BIble verses about God's blessing that show us how He blesses us materially and spiritually, and that Jesus Christ as our atonement for sin is the ultimate blessing God has given to all. Because all of Gods blessings are a gift of His grace, through the work of Jesus Christ, we have no basis for demanding His blessings. If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Blessings have to do with God's Kingdom. All things are yours.". He struggled with Esau from the womb until the day he left Canaan. T So remove evil from your house. Job 22:23 (NCV), Even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice. Luke 11:28 (NLT), (Help the unfortunate) and you will be blessed. He makes me lie down in green pastures. This is to be the pattern for the Christians dealings with others, including our enemies (Matthew 6:44-48; Acts 14:15-17; 17:30-31). 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). They think of Gods blessings primarily in terms of that which is physical and material.102 They believe that because Christ has come, every promised blessing can be ours, now, if we but believe and ask for them in faith. Routinely, such letters go in the trash without my even opening them. (3) The Jews thought of Gods blessings in terms of material prosperity and His cursings in terms of material adversity and physical affliction. But I will also judge the nation whom they will serve; and afterward they will come out with many possessions. O Thou dost sell Thy people cheaply, And hast not profited by their sale. List Of Bible Prophecies Not Yet Fulfilled. Related Topics: Dispensational / Covenantal Theology, Theology Proper (God), Robert L. (Bob)Deffinbaugh graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with his Th.M. To this we would add that the same is true for the articles written by others that we continue to add, on a regular basis, to the Two Minutes library.