We say it all the time: I’m so blessed.
However, what does it mean to be blessed from a Biblical perspective?
Bill English from Bible and Business looks at what the the blessings of God are and how we can enjoy them. In the Bible, blessings are mentioned four times more than curses. God wants to bless us, but we have to obey.
Bill mentions passages from the book of Genesis that describe the blessings of God.
“And God blessed them. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’” Genesis 1:28
“As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He shall father twelve princes, and I will make him into a great nation.” Genesis 17:20
“The Lord has greatly blessed my master, and he has become great. He has given flocks and herds, silver and gold, male servants and females servants, camels and donkeys.” Genesis 24:35
Verses that talk about the blessings of God are often characterized by positive increase.
“Over and over again, in the Bible, when you’re under God’s blessing you’ll have this concept of increase, growth, and maturation.”
How do we enjoy God’s blessings?
“In order to enjoy God’s blessings, we need to be abstaining from sin.”
When we are tempted, we have to make a conscious effort to resist the Devil and his temptations.
When we seek to live a righteous life and flee from temptation with the help of the Holy Spirit, we enjoy God’s blessings.
While the blessings of God are often characterized by happiness, satisfaction, comfort, just because we are experiencing hardship, doesn’t mean we have fallen out of favor with God. In fact, sometimes God calls us to suffer for his name sake and even then, we are blessed.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10
