October 9 - Want to be Blessed?
The righteous person is the blessed person because he relates rightly with God. He fears the Lord and greatly delights in His commandments. This is the key to walk in the right way and to avoid evil. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge, when one has a healthy fear for the Lord, he would not deviate from God’s path. Even his descendants would follow his example and become the generation of the upright. His righteousness endures forever and light would shine in the darkness for the upright.
He does not only affect those that come after him, he also has great impact on those around him. Peace and well being are his characteristics, being gracious, merciful and righteous, he prospers in his relationship with others. He deals generously and lends, conducts his affairs with justice. The righteous will never be moved and is not afraid of bad news. His heart is firm, steady and trusting in the Lord. He distributes freely, gives to the poor and his horn is exalted in honor. He overcomes his adversaries and the wicked persons. God has blessed him with wealth and prosperity so that he can become a blessing to many others.
Many have aspired to be rich, wise, educated, healthy, stable and secure. Little do they know that all of these good things come as the Lord’s blessings. If your life goals are on the good things, you have missed the boat. All blessings come when we relate right to the Lord and to others. You do not need to work hard at getting the things of the world; you only need to seek God’s Kingdom and His righteousness. All the other good things are to be given to you.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus points out the fallacy of the Gentiles by asking for good things and working hard to attain them. Blessings are bestowed from above, not achieved by human efforts. I have seen many educated, wise and prudent persons who have not had God’s blessings in their lives. Many work throughout their own lives but get very little. They have gone on the wrong track: trying to obtain God’s blessings apart from God!
What are some of the blessings of the righteous you covet today? Is it wealth, or health, or peace, or happiness? Remember, these are the results of a blessed life. Get into a position where you might receive God’s blessings. God loves to bless you but you have to be righteous before Him. Instead of formulating plans to get rich, plan on loving His commandments. Instead of competing with others for a piece of the pie, reach to heaven and get every good thing from above. Remember: blessings are given, not achieved. They are the results of a right relationship with the Giver! Get into a position of being blessed now.
Ps 112:1-10 Jer 12:1-14:10 1 Thess 1:1-2:9 Prov 24:30-34