Friday, November 4, 2016

Blessed

Psalm 134:1-3

A Song of degrees

“Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.   Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.” (Psalm 134:1-2)

As used here, to bless means to praise or glorify.   The Psalmist was blessing God for what he had done, but we Christians have even more to be thankful for.  Ephesians 1:3-8 describes some of the things he has done for us.  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence.” 

God has given thing to assure eternal life with him in heaven, making us acceptable to him.  Titus 3:5 emphasizes, this was his decision, not ours.  “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”  I Peter 1:3-5 makes it clear, he not only saved us, but that he also keeps us saved.  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

In addition, he works in our daily life on earth.  II Corinthians 1:3-4 tells us, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”

Because he has done so much for us, Hebrews 13:15 commands, “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”  Sometimes bad things happen but Romans 8: Ro 8:28 reminds us, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”  Knowing that even the bad things have a good purpose, I Thessalonians 5:18 instructs, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

“The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.” (Psalm 134:3)

In addition to the blessing of salvation and eternal life, God blesses us for living for him in this life.  I Timothy 4:8 tells us, “…godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”  James 1:25 tells us what is required to be godly.  “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”  Revelation 1:3 emphasizes the need to follow his commands now.  “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.”

In our world we face many temptations to turn away from God.  James 1:12 promises, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”  Frequently that decision to follow God costs us economically or emotionally.  Matthew 5:10-12 promises, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.  Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” 


Our faithfulness in trials and temptations demonstrates or right to receive God’s rewards, according to II Thessalonians 1:4-5.   “So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:  Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer.”

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