Blessing

​As I read Scripture, I am continuously impressed with our Heavenly Father’s desire to bless us.  From Genesis to Revelation runs a consistent theme—God loves to give to His children. As a parent I understand some of what God feels.  I look forward to giving my children gifts.  There is something profoundly special about favorably touching lives.

When we live in obedience to God’s will, we cannot help but experience His blessings. Does this mean that we will not suffer? Hardly!  Some of the godliest people I know have endured tremendous hardships. Yet if you asked them if they knew God’s blessings they would joyfully nod affirmatively.  The deepest blessing God can give us is knowledge of Himself. The more we grow in our understanding of Him, the deeper we appreciate life and recognize how wonderful His expressions of kindness are to us.  Perhaps Jesus’ death on the cross most emphatically demonstrates the length God will go to bless us—to give us that unquenchable, beyond-awesome, super-spectacular eternal gift of life in His presence.  
 
Meditation
John 1:16--Indeed, we have all received grace after grace from His fullness,
 
For over ten years Kathleen and I struggled with the heavy cost of health insurance. It was an expense we gladly shouldered because the life of our son far exceeded any premium a company could exact. In a sense it is what we would call a mixed blessing.  We realized how fortunate we were to even have insurance!  At the end of that period our family was approved by an organization of Christians dedicated to sharing health costs.  Our monthly rates dropped by over $400!  
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Imagine how thankful we were that God removed our financial burden through the assistance of believers committed to pooling their money for the good of each family. Today as I look back at that time of sacrifice and challenge, I’m even more grateful for my Lord who touches hearts to create generosity and unity that results in His praise and glory. And I’m thankful for you . . . that you desire to know God more deeply.  I pray that you will be consumed with an ever-growing hunger to know God; that you will experience His rich blessings; and that you will let Him know how much you love Him.
 
Ephesians 1:3--Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens.
 
Inspiration
Whenever God has given us a blessing, we must take time to meditate on the blessing and offer it back to God in a deliberate ecstasy of worship . . . If God has blessed you, erect an altar and give the blessing back to God as a love-gift.—Oswald Chambers in Not Knowing Where
 
©2000 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)