Psalm 84:12 LORD Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in You.
I have said before, in response to inquiries about how I am, that I am blessed, and I truly believe that I am. But what does that mean exactly? Google defines “blessed” as “endowed with divine favor and protection,” and I think there are those who subscribe to an idea that Kate Bowler calls the Prosperity Gospel—the idea that if we are God’s people, goodness abounds and heartache is kept at bay, but being blessed does not mean being shielded from sorrow.
Isaiah 61:3 To all who mourn…He will give a crown of beauty instead of ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair….
I am not the queen of heartache, I do not hold the market on suffering, but I have seen and endured enough in my life to know that being blessed because of my faith does not give me immunity from grief and pain. However, the blessing of my faith does mean that the grief and sorrow of this world are temporary, it means that this world is not my home, it means that I have hope that transcends this life. Thank you, Jesus, for these blessings.
Daniel 3:17-18 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if He does not….
Lord, Thank You for this day and for the blessings of this life. Thank You for the hope that endures even when Your answer is no, not yet, or not in the way that I had hoped. Help me never to forget that I am blessed because I have hope beyond this life. Help me never to forget that I have this hope because I am Your deeply loved child. You don’t promise that this life will be easy, Lord, but You promise that You will always be with me. Thank You for the blessings of Your love. Draw me closer. Amen.
Jer 17:7 …blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is Him.
Have a blessed day.
Amen.
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