How to Live IN the Blessings of God

 
Black eyed susans on black background with sun shining through on right upper corner



Do you ever think, how come so and so's life is so blessed, but mine not so much?  If we are being honest, that thought probably has crossed all of our minds at one time or another.  We tend to look at the external blessings of someone as a sign that they are highly favored and blessed, but blessings don't just exist by external means.   Blessings come in all shapes and sizes.  We are ALL promised blessings from God, but do we actually live in those blessings...

Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel.  And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth.  And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly,  from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies...

 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. 
Your throne shall be established forever.’”  In accordance with all these words, 
and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.
2 Samuel 7:8-11

Here we see God recounting to David the blessings he has already been given and proclaiming the blessings David and the future generations WILL receive. Pronouncements of blessings are not just reserved for the men and women of the Bible for we too have a revelation from God of the blessings He has promised to us - the Word of God, but do we truly apprehend those blessings and live IN them.  

I believe that if we meditate upon and put into practice the following three considerations, we will enjoy God's blessings every minute of every day of our lives, truly living in those blessings.

What Does It Mean to be Blessed by God?


The Lord bless you and keep you!
The Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious to you!
The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!
Numbers 6:24-26

The word bless means to speak well of.  Indeed, the Lord speaks well of us!  We are blessed just by being known by God and being His children.  He loves us so much that He sent His Son to die in our place so that we would receive the blessings of His eternal favor.  Those blessings are not just reserved for Heaven, but are ours to be enjoyed every day of our lives here on earth.

If Jesus were the only blessing we received, it would be enough for He has abundantly blessed us with Himself!  His grace, His redemption and His amazing love.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 1:3

In our humanness, we perceive blessings as receiving fame, fortune, good health and great relationships.  But a blessing doesn't always come wrapped up in a pretty package tied with a neat bow.  Sometimes blessings come in the midst of heartache.  Other times, the only way to receive the blessing, is by walking a hard road.

One of the greatest blessings we have received is the Holy Spirit, in whom we were sealed on the day of our salvation.  And it is through the Holy Spirit that we receive blessings to endure during a hard season - His presence, His help, His provision, His comfort. 

I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, 
that He may be with you forever;
John 14:16

How to See God's Blessings in Your Life


One way to attract God's blessings to your life is to recognize that they are already there!  No one can stop God's blessings.  His blessings are there all around us and within us.   Evoking God's blessing is simply to acknowledge it.  When we bless someone, we aren't conjuring up a blessing from God, but proclaiming His existing blessing upon them.  

One of the main ways we see God's blessings is through His Word.  Throughout the Bible God's past, present and future blessings are outlined, all to edify and encourage us to live IN those blessings.

There are also additional ways to see God's blessings...

We see the blessings of God in His creation; 
We see the blessings of God in our breathing; in our hearts, in our minds and in our gifting
We see the blessings of God in our spouses, our children, our parents, and our extended families.
We see the blessings of God in His Grace and His mercy to us on a daily basis.
We see the blessings of God when we practice a grateful heart, searching for God in ALL things
We see the blessings of God in His provision and love.
We see the blessings of God in prayer, answered and yet to be answered.
We see the blessings of God in our heartache
We see the blessings of God in Jesus

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace
Streams of mercy, never ceasing
Call for songs of loudest praise
Teach me some melodious sonnet
Sung by flaming tongues above
Praise the mount, I'm fixed upon it
Mount of Thy redeeming love
Robert Robinson


Living a Life IN God's Blessings

The life of David shows what it means to live a life IN God's blessings.  David, a man after God's own heart, walked through a lot of hard seasons, some caused by the consequences of his own sin, and others due to the sins of men.  David enjoyed prosperity and rest as well.  In ALL those circumstances, David penned the Psalms where he humbly voiced his doubts, his concerns, his fears, but he didn't leave it there...  David always went on to praise God for His blessings - past, present and future.   

In Psalm 34, David extolled the Lord encouraging all who are afflicted to praise God along with him.  David lived IN God's blessings despite his affliction.

In Psalm 77, David's soul refused to be comforted.  He said he was so troubled he could not sleep.  So when there was nothing to rejoice about in his current circumstances, he remembered the past deeds of the Lord and His wonders of old.  Here we see David enjoying God's blessings, despite the anguish within him.

In Psalm 115:12-13, David acknowledges God's future blessings using language that is sure, with no shadow of doubt.  He lives in those blessings as if they were present blessings.

The Lord remembers us and will bless us:
    He will bless his people Israel,
    he will bless the house of Aaron,
he will bless those who fear the Lord—
    small and great alike.

Indeed, as the opening Psalm of this blog post indicates, David and Israel enjoyed rest, and his throne was established forever.  Through the line of David came Jesus our greatest blessing.

In order to live IN the blessings of God, we must take a page out of David's Psalms and live in a constant state of gratitude, for there is ALWAYS something to be grateful for in God's economy, no matter what the circumstances.  The more we practice gratitude, the more natural it will become to recognize God's blessings and the more our brains will rewire to apprehend and live IN those blessings.

Remember, even if you are walking through one of your toughest seasons, and you feel like all hope is gone, recount what the Lord has done for His people thousands of years ago, for a thousand years is like a day to the Lord.  Their blessings are your blessings in Christ Jesus.  

For similar posts, click on the following:







You might find me on these link-ups:

Grace & TruthWoman to Woman Ministries, Inspire Me MondayA Wise Women Builds Her HomeSpiritual Sundays, Soul Survival,  Good Morning MondaysTell His StoryFaith & Fellowship Blog Hop  Tuesday Talk   Faith 'N Friends Sitting Among Friends   House to Home  ,Wonderful Wednesday , Literacy Musings Mondays,Imparting GraceDance with Jesus Booknificent Thursdays  Fresh Market Friday Moments of Hope Wonderful Wednesdays , Tea & Word Tuesday Heart Encouragement Thursday Hearts for Home Messy Marriage Link-up Friday at the Fire Station Link-up Tune In Thursday Faith on Fire Link-upSunday Scripture Blessings Link-up, Sunday ThoughtsWriter Wednesday, Faith Filled Friday God Sized Dreams Link-Up Sitting Among Friends Be Thee Inspired Graceful Tuesday Link-up Aprons & Pearls Link-up Trekkingthru Link-up  Encouraging Word Wednesday  Grace Moments Link-up  Encouraging Hearts and Home Worth Beyond Rubies Seeking Sabbath Scripture and a Snapshot IHeart Verse Welcome Heart Kingdom Bloggers Outdoorsy Mommy Anchored Truth Tuesdays IHeart Verse InstaEncouragements Remember Me Mondays

Comments

  1. These are such great insights. We are each richly blessed and these insights can help us see that and live in it more fully. Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing is one of my favorite hymns too! I'm visiting today from the Inspire Me Monday link up. Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Marielle, Indeed! We are richly blessed.

      Thanks for sharing that we have a favorite hymn in common. :-)

      So glad you visited from Inspire Me Monday.

      Blessings,

      Delete
  2. This made me think of the song's words, "Then do we wonder why others prosper living so wicked year after year." YES, I admit, I do wonder. I have seen so much suffering and poverty and lack in those who love the Lord and are doing all they possibly can to serve and please Him, all while wicked, evil people around them do ungodly things and seem to glide through life with no problems at all. It does not seem fair at all. But, I know this is not the end. Our reward in Heaven will be great one day if we live for God and make it there. Thank you for this encouraging post. May the Lord bless you, my friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Cheryl, It certainly is hard.

      Yes! Our reward is in Heaven. Praise God!

      Thank you so much for adding to the conversation sweet friend.

      You are very welcome! Sending you love and gratitude,

      Delete
  3. Karen, it's so important to cultivate that spirit of thankfulness and praise, isn't it! Yet, it is so much easier to look around and see what other have that we don't. Thanks for the reminder that we are already blessed and love by the One who counts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Donna, I never thought about it that way, but it is "easier" to look around and see what others have, and it does take a view with spiritual eyes to see our blessings, especially when things are difficult. Thanks so much for sharing that!

      You are very welcome! Thanks so much for stopping by. :-)

      Delete

Post a Comment

Thank you for taking the time to comment.

Popular Posts