Tag: blessings

  • Showers of blessing

    It rained some yesterday, and more rain is forecast. That’s to be expected this time of year in the Lower Mainland. Today’s image is a leaf I captured after another recent shower.

    Rain can certainly put a damper on things (pun intended). The shorter hours of sunlight can cause my SAD (seasonal affective disorder) to flare up some, and rain makes most outdoor tasks a little more challenging and uncomfortable.

    Still, as I must remind myself, we do need the rain. Water tables are very low, and that’s making it difficult for salmon to spawn. It’s been dry, so there were fewer berries for the bears and other critters to fatten up with for winter.

    PROMISED BLESSINGS

    The thoughts on rain showers took my mind back to a passage I read recently in Ezekiel.

    “I will make with them a covenant of peace and banish wild beasts from the land, so that they may dwell securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods.  And I will make them and the places all around my hill a blessing, and I will send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing. And the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield its increase, and they shall be secure in their land. And they shall know that I am the Lord, when I break the bars of their yoke, and deliver them from the hand of those who enslaved them. They shall no more be a prey to the nations, nor shall the beasts of the land devour them. They shall dwell securely, and none shall make them afraid. And I will provide for them a renowned place for planting so that they shall no more be consumed with hunger in the land, and no longer suffer the reproach of the nations. And they shall know that I am the Lord their God with them, and that they, the house of Israel, are my people, declares the Lord God. And you are my sheep, human sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Lord God.” Ezekiel 34:25-31 ESV

    Now that’s a specific promise made in a given context to the people of Israel. Still, it shows His heart towards those He loves.

    Our Almighty, Loving God wants to “send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing.”  Think about that for a moment.

    God wants to bless you. It doesn’t mean you won’t face hard times or challenges. It does mean that whatever you face, God has blessings in store for you as a believer.

    Take some time today to reflect on the blessings God has already given you, and give Him thanks. Know there are more to come.

    Kevin

    SUMMARY

    Rainy days reminded me of God’s promise in Ezekiel 34 to send showers of blessing in their season. Whatever we face, God has blessings in store for us as believers.

    TAKEAWAY

    God’s promise in Ezekiel 34 was made to Israel in a specific context, but it shows His heart towards those He loves, and that includes you.

    God wanting to bless you doesn’t mean you won’t face hard times or challenges; it means that whatever you face, He has blessings in store for you as a believer.

    Take time today to reflect on the blessings God has already given you, thank Him for them, and know more are coming.

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  • Blessed Are You: A Walk Through the Beatitudes

    A quiet spot to sit nad think about God's blessings.

    Yesterday, while we were walking around a nearby lake, we were blessed to come upon this beautiful little spot. The water was cool on the feet but not too cold, and there was room to sit. It was a great thinking spot.

    In my reading of Matthew of late, I have spent time in the Sermon on the Mount, one of the five great discourses by Christ that Matthew records.

    In particular, I have been camping out on the beatitudes; the “blessed are” passages.

    And he [Jesus] opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”  Matthew 5:2-12 ESV

    It should be noted that these blessings are not universal; they are blessings for believers.

    There is a progression here. Christ begins with the poor in spirit. We mourn the depravity of our sin and the pain and brokenness of the world. It is not until we realize that our works and efforts have no merit, when we recognize that we are spiritually bankrupt, that we begin to turn to Christ in humble repentance and faith.

    Meekness is not weakness. It is strength under control, a form of humility. 

    We begin to desire to be like our lord, “holy for He is holy.” We start to understand grace, mercy and forgiveness and, having received them, begin to show them to others.

    Our hearts are cleansed and being conformed to the image of Christ, and we seek peace. Not just peace as an absence of conflict but true peace with God, and we desire others to have it.

    The changes in us conflict with the world’s values, bringing persecution and Christ’s blessing.

    The blessings spoken of here are not material wealth or worldly success. We are blessed by the ever-deepening relationships with our King and other believers. The blessings compound as we grow more like Christ and last forever.

    We will face difficulty in this life, and our faith will be tested. There will be times when God seems distant, or prayers appear unanswered. We can persevere in those dry seasons because we know God never changes and never breaks a promise. He has promised blessings to His children, and those blessings are guaranteed.

    Hold fast. Seek Christ and be blessed beyond measure.

    May you be richly blessed,

    Kevin

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    SUMMARY

    Yesterday Kathy and I found a beautiful spot beside a lake, cool water on our feet and room to sit and think. I’ve also been spending time lately in Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount, and I’ve been struck by how the Beatitudes lay out a progression, starting with poverty of spirit and moving toward being persecuted for righteousness’ sake, blessings meant not for everyone but for believers whose hearts are being conformed to Christ.

    TAKEAWAY

    The Beatitudes reveal a progression, beginning with poverty of spirit and moving toward being persecuted for righteousness’ sake. 

    True blessing isn’t material wealth but an ever-deepening relationship with Christ and other believers, a blessing that compounds and lasts forever. 

    Even when trials come, and God feels distant, His promised blessings are guaranteed because He never changes and never breaks a promise.

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