Does God want to bless you?
How much does he want to bless you? How much- his desire, how much quantity?
What does it look like if is really blessed by God? What difference does it make?
What does “bless” mean anyway?
Psalm 67 – a prayer
God be gracious to us and bless us, And cause His face to shine upon us—
2That Your way may be known on the earth, Your salvation among all nations.
3Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You.
4Let the nations be glad and sing for joy; For You will judge the peoples with uprightness And guide the nations on the earth.
5Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You.
6The earth has yielded its produce; God, our God, blesses us.
7God blesses us, That all the ends of the earth may fear Him
It’s a prayer for blessing. It starts with asking for blessing and finishes with an affirmation that he does bless. Do you ask for blessing? It seems selfish. Pray for others – but for me?
Prayer of Jabez – 1 Chron 4:10 – oh that you would bless me. Theme in OT of the people wanting to be blessed.
- What is blessing?
Blessing is the unmerited favour of God which affects our lives in a tangible way.
Nothing in this Psalm to say that Israel deserves it. Samson – anointed – he had the unmerited favour of God on him.
God’s heart is to bless. His heart is to bless unconditionally.
Blessing is not something that is just ethereal, intangible, mystical
Blessing is not just material, but includes material. In this Psalm – Gladness and joy – and harvest (verse 6). Hebrew mind no separation between material and spiritual. Blessing was blessing in whatever form it took.
Hebrew – verse 2 Your saving health. The blessings of salvation include healing. Blessing with healing, with answers to prayer, with his sovereign providence. All the goodness of God’s provision.
- Why does God bless?
Because he loves!
We know it in theory.
Becca – saw her last weekend. Then back home thought of her and being with her and overwhelming feeling of love and pride and wanting the best for her. If that’s what I, an imperfect earthly father feel then how much more to does God feel. God’s love has feeling. God’s love is shown by his interactions with us. It’s not objective. Too many xians know objectively that God loves them.
It is the overflow of the love of God to his people.
Eph 1:3 he has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ
He wants to give to us more than we give to him. Luke 6 – give and it will be given to you – pressed down, running over – overflowing. Whatever you give to him – his heart is to give more to you.
Because he wants to display it to others
Because he wants people to see his love and mercy. He wants to bless us, to benefit others. He wants to bless us so that other people see his greatness.
God blesses us that the ends of the earth may fear him. He wanted to bless Israel so the peoples of the world would see how amazing he is
- Blessing is attractive
Blessing should attract – Solomon – queen of sheba
When the queen of Sheba saw the wisdom of Solomon, as well as the palace he had built, 4the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, the cupbearers in their robes and the burnt offerings he made ata the temple of the Lord, she was overwhelmed. ..
Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on his throne as king to rule for the Lord your God.
Is 60 Arise shine your light – nations will come
1“Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
2See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
3Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
Jesus – A city on a hill – a traveller will be attracted
Jesus – Don’t hide your light – why? it attracts
Blessed Christians will attract others. You have something I want. Generosity, patience etc.
The tension of being blessed when others are struggling. But am I going to hide what God has done under a bushel?
Abby. We are being blessed. What about others who are struggling?
Blessing is for his people in community. We can be quite individualistic. Family blessing.
- what is result of blessing?
Blessing results in
– people fearing God
– Praise and joy, gladness and singing – in other words – more glory is given to God
Conclusion.
What do you want to ask God for? Prayer of Jabez – oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory and keep me from pain.
You? Oh that you would bless me and ….