Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord. (Psalm 40:4)
We all want to live a blessed life. We pray for blessings. We thank God for blessings. But we need to be careful how we receive and respond to our blessings. When the children of Israel were freed from bondage in Egypt after four hundred years of slavery, they witnessed miracle after miracle and received blessing after blessing. Eventually their blessings began to dull their senses rather than drive their service. In essence their blessings turned into “sedatives rather of stimulants.”
They passed through the Red Sea on dry ground as the pursuing Egyptian army was swallowed up by the waters. They ate manna from heaven. They drank water from a rock. They were guided by a cloud by day and a cloud of fire by night. Yet, in spite of their many blessings, rather than being stimulated to service, they were like sedatives that caused them to whine, grumble, and complain against their leaders, Moses and Aaron, and God Himself. Here is what we need to remember about blessings. They are gifts from God in that moment, not guarantees in the future. If we are not careful, blessings can dim our eyes of faith and stay our helping hands. What we need to remember is whatever blessings we receive from the hand of God, we must receive them with gratitude and thanksgiving knowing that we have been blessed simply to be a blessing to others.
So, where in your life has God been blessing you lately? Have your blessings driven you to deeper devotion to and delight in your relationship with Jesus? Or have they been dulling your senses? Have your blessings turned into sedatives rather than stimulants? God has given each of us blessings multiplied – blessings of opportunities – blessings of resources – blessings of possibilities. As God blesses us, let us bless others and by this all people will know we are disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 