Walking in Freedom || A Bible Devotional ||

#Blessed

#Blessed.

I bet you all are tired of seeing this hashtag. I know I am. Every time I go on any social media, I always seem to find at least one #blessed on someone's page.

However, what does the word blessed even mean? How should we think of it in the context of the Bible? The Oxford Dictionary says,

blessed

adj. endowed with divine favour and protection

Whew! That word is chockful of meaning. When God says,

 "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night" (Psalm 1:1-2), that means that God endows that person who walks in His way and loves Him with divine favour and protection. That's not just some doting uncle who doesn't want to see his niece hurt. It isn't just saying "I'm a lucky girl/boy." That is the awesome, powerful blessings of an Almighty, Divine God on His child.

For Christians, we know that we don't have anything of our own; it is only a gift of God. So, it naturally follows that it is prideful not to give credit to God for being blessed. When we say things like "I got good grades because I'm smart" or "I have a nice house because I'm talented in work," we don't often take another step forward and say "I got good grades because God blessed me with the ability to comprehend and remember my material" or "I have a nice house because God granted me with my supportive job." We, of our own merit, would have nothing good coming out of us. NOTHING. But God gives us Christians and unbelievers these wonderful things, what theologians call "common grace," which means that He provides for them in areas of shelter, food, clothing, jobs, etc.

On the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke a sermon saying,

3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9  "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sonsof God.

10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs isthe kingdom of heaven.

11 "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kindsof evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:3-10) 

Because of God, we can all walk in the freedom that we are blessed by both suffering and joy. Both are a way to glorify the fullness we have living in the grace of Christ. Unlike "common grace," the "saving grace" found in Christ means that only Christians -those who believe in the promises of the Bible and the salvation found in Jesus- can have the full blessings of divine favour and protection (not just earthly provisions). Both suffering and joy can pull us closer to Christ, and can be a way to show hope in a dying world.

However, Jesus did not mean for us to live a life full of suffering. Granted, suffering for His sake is a BEAUTIFUL (though sad) thing. But He died so that He could bless us with eternal life, sins washed clean, and happiness knowing that we were meant for someplace other than earth. We were meant for heaven. He has blessed us more than we ever deserved; more than we ever hoped. That should make us feel completely and utterly joyful. 

The great church reformer Martin Luther once said "You will have as much joy and laughter in life as you have faith in God" (www.goodreads.com)... and I tend to agree with that. Have faith in His promises. Have faith in the cleansing of your sin. Then, be joyful in the fact that you are #blessed.

Sources

The Oxford English Dictionary. <https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/blessed>, accessed June 24, 2017.

English Standard Version Bible. (For all verses). Accessed June 24, 2017.

Luther, Martin. Goodreads.<https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/288798-the-heart-overflows-with-gladness-and-leaps-and-dances-for>, accessed June 24, 2017.