Thursday July 20, 2023

Today is Thursday, July 20 and we are studying what the Bible says about God’s blessings.

As I begin this time of daily prayer, I pause to be still, slow my breathing and focus my mind on the God of blessing and peace.

Pause and Pray

Blessed and holy Lord, reveal the truth of the blessings you have for me, awaken me to your steadfast love and remind me of your great faithfulness. I put my complete trust in you as I continue traveling on this pilgrim journey. Amen.

As I continue my pilgrim journey, I praise God with the words of this week’s Psalm of Ascent, Psalm 128.

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Yes, this will be the blessing for the man who fears the LORD. Psalm 128:3-4

Pause and Pray

In the eight blessings of Jesus called the Beatitudes, he turns the way humans perceive the success of the world upside down. Those who are poor, mourning and meek are the ones who are blessed. This might be difficult for me to grasp. Does that mean I should desire those things in life? It will be helpful to invite the Holy Spirit to reveal what this means at a deeper level, because Jesus is talking about the condition of my soul. A soul that recognizes its poverty, mourns for its sorrowful condition and humbly forgoes worldly power will be lifted up in the eyes of the Lord and will find true blessings. Listen carefully to the words of Jesus.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3-10

As I ponder the blessings of God, I come face to face with the truth that God’s concept of blessings are not the same as the world’s understanding. The blessings that Jesus reveals in the Beatitudes are blessings on a much deeper level than an easy life, good food, a nice home, a healthy bank account and abundant material possessions. It even goes beyond the blessings of health, family and relationships. God loves me and wants to bless me in many ways, but the salvation and sanctification of my soul is the ultimate and greatest blessing. This is the eternal blessing that Jesus promises for all and always.

Ask: What is my perspective of the blessings of God – temporal or eternal? When have I experienced sorrow, grief and mourning over the state of my soul and longed for the holiness of God?

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord Jesus, help me to surrender my life completely to you and trust you with everything. The world tells me one thing about blessings and you reveal a profound mystery I struggle to comprehend. As the Holy Spirit reveals the poverty of my spirit, my heart laments for the continued brokenness of my sin-sick soul. I know you offer complete restoration and comfort in the joy of your presence. I read the words from Matthew again and listen for the message you have for me.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3-10

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

A casual reading of the Beatitudes of Jesus seems innocuous. It is only when the Holy Spirit opens the scriptures and stirs the depths of my heart that I see the enormous reality of what is spoken. If a certain word is leaping off the page, I need to ruminate on that with the help of the Spirit speaking into my life. I contrast the words rich and poor, joy and mourning, humble and proud, empty and full, holy and impure, peace and unrest, love and hate. What words define the current state of my soul and what does God want me to realize about myself? How does God want to bring blessings into my life today?

Pause and Pray

Come, Holy Lord, I invite you into the depths of my heart and ask for your blessing. Reveal the true state of my soul and show me what I am lacking. I open myself to receive the goodness of your love and grace. I trust you with everything and bow to your guidance. Bless me so that I may bless others. Amen.
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:8-9

I leave this time of prayer knowing I am blessed by God, I go to bless others in all that I say and do.

Amen