For many years we lived a few miles from the majestic Pacific Ocean. We often went to watch the waves roll in on the beach. I never tired of watching the waves that displayed the beauty of creation. The Lord provides an amazing world with great blessings from the Lord. Scripture shows that gifts from the Lord are both physical and spiritual. James 1: 17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. 18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.[1]
Jacob Reflects on Blessings
As Jacob is getting older and is about to bless his grandsons, he reflects on the blessings from the Lord in his life. Genesis 48:1One day not long after this, word came to Joseph, “Your father is failing rapidly.” So Joseph went to visit his father, and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. 2 When Joseph arrived, Jacob was told, “Your son Joseph has come to see you.” So Jacob gathered his strength and sat up in his bed. 3 Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me. 4 He said to me, ‘I will make you fruitful, and I will multiply your descendants. I will make you a multitude of nations. And I will give this land of Canaan to your descendants after you as an everlasting possession.’ [2]
Our Blessings
Each week Christians all over the world will gather to worship God. Many will receive a closing blessing in worship through the words that Aaron and his sons spoke over Israel: Deut. 6:24 ‘May the Lord bless you and protect you. 25 May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. 26 May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.’ [3]
What is this blessing that God puts on us? First, we receive the blessing of His protection. This is something we need in along our journey of life. Life is full of trials, difficulties, and death itself. Second, the blessing talks about the Lord smiling and being gracious. When a person sees a loved one, his or her face “lights up.” God’s face radiates divine favor. Lastly, the blessing speaks of favor and peace. The theme of the “face” of God has the idea of His people receiving His full attention and giving us peace only He can give.
We must remember that the Lord’s words are not wishes but blessings. They are true for us because of Jesus. In Jesus Christ, we are protected, forgiven, and restored to peace with God.
The Blessings of Jesus
The Lord gives spiritual birth to us by calling us to place our faith in Jesus as our Savior. This spiritual birth leads to eternal life. The Lord begins to transform us in this lifetime after we have been born again spiritually that changes our destiny on earth as well as in eternity. As we are spiritually reborn it shapes how we see the world and those around us. Being spiritually reborn is the greatest gift we will ever receive in all of eternity.
To hear more about the blessings from the Lord, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/faith-makes-a-difference-jacob
[1-3] New Living TranslationHoly Bible, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.