This is the second of a 2 part post on blessedness. Check out part 1 here.

God’s Determination to Bless All

Every aspect of mankind’s blessedness is derived from God, who is the fountain and source of blessing.

Scripture often speaks of the blessedness of those who walk in His ways, but it also speaks of the blessing God freely and fully gives to those who do not.

God’s blessings also flow to those who oppose Him, openly or secretly, with hot vehemence or cool indifference.

For example the Bible says,

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:44-45)

Here, Jesus calls on His followers to imitate His generous, merciful loving of His enemies by loving their enemies and doing good to those who, in turn, show them hatred. This is a faith-filled imitation of their blessedness in Christ.

A tough one for many (and for me!) to be sure.

AND

The LORD is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works. (Psalm 145:9)

Irrespective of their demeanor toward Him, God blesses all of His creation. However, that God shows goodness and compassion to all, is not the same as saying everyone experiences the same good or receives salvation; nor is it the same as the deeper joy of knowing and trusting God.

Note also that God blesses non-believers without approving of their wicked works, their opposition toward Him, or their prideful dishonoring and disregard of Him.

God bestows blessings on all, however, blessedness in its fullest sense is the enjoyment of God Himself.

While there are other verses that could be highlighted here are just 3. For example the Bible says:

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11

and

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Psalm 34:8

This verse invites the experience God’s goodness and names the ones who dare to take refuge in God, blessed.

Now, let’s look at a well-known verse from the Old Testament.

Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:17-18

While this is an expression of deep, mature faith it’s not a demand that, in crisis, we feel happy or hide our grief. However the verses suggest that even in the most challenging, trying circumstances like those which potentially affect your livelihood and, perhaps, your life, one may rejoice in God even in the presence of undeserved and undesirable particulars.

If you are in a life space where “the bottom” dropped out of your life, as it has for me a time or two, by the grace of God, continue to trust in and know that the Lord Jesus, your Savior, will help you.

Be encouraged. God has not forgotten you. You are still blessed!

Join the Conversation

This is 2nd installment in a series on blessedness, and I value your insights. How have you seen the difference between receiving God’s gifts and treasuring the Giver?

Blessings! Kimberly