TRUE BLESSINGS

There was a good deal of conversation about yesterday's blog on "Blessings".  One of these comments from a very wise friend reminded me of who the blessed are~

Blessed are the poor in spirit:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn:
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek:
for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they which hunger and thirst after righteousness:
for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful:
for they shall obtain mercy.

.Blessed are the pure in heart:
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers:
for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, 
and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely,
for my sake.

Matthew 5:3-11

I was reminded this does not indicate the blessings of God are of abundance, power, popularity and success.  Yes, we all receive various gifts from God, but these gifts are not necessarily blessings.  The blessings described by Jesus in the Beatitudes are all of eternal consequence.  "His blessings which endures despite circumstances. In Jesus's upside-down kingdom, these people know an enduring joy and blessing that doesn't dwindle as their situation changes." Christine Gordon.  It has nothing to do with the temporal and everything to do with the eternal.  These blessings are never here today and gone tomorrow~instead true blessings are here to stay.

So be not dismayed by those who seem highly favored when they announce how blessed they are by God when speaking of temporary and fleeting gifts.  Instead take comfort and KNOW--KNOW that God is closest to us when we suffer.  Never are we more aware of our need for Him--than when we are in pain.  "Our place at the table will inevitably come with suffering of many kinds (Romans 8:17), but it will also  come with a greater blessing than we can imagine."Christine Gordon

We are blessed.

2 comments

Your comments keep my writing and often cause me to think. A written form of a hug or a pat on the back and an occasional slap into reality---I treasure them all!