Blessed Be the Lord!
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say, “Amen!” Praise the Lord! Psalm 106:46
One of my early memories was of Mom’s voice ringing out in praise, singing, Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
When I attended a wedding later in life, the spoken blessings of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob came to life. The Father of the Bride spoke a blessing over his daughter and his son-in-law prior to the ceremony that made them one! It was a moving experience for everyone who attended.
What is a blessing…? “The act or words of one that blesses,” or “a thing conducive to happiness or welfare.” Synonyms are protection and favor from God. In Hebrew the word bless means ‘to bow the knee’ in showing reverence, awe to an important person. God – “from Whom all blessings flow.”
Praising God for the ways God cares for us becomes a blessing for us in many ways. He blesses us, so that we will bless others in acts of kindness, love and forgiveness or words that show God’s love.
The hymn I learned years ago, contains these words…. Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing, Out of my life, May Jesus shine; Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray, I pray Thee, my Savior, Make me a blessing to someone today.
Several years ago, I realized that I am nearer to the age of no more driving. I pray for safety as I learn to drive in a new city. I thank God when I arrive at my destination safely. I feel His Presence beside me…and praise Him along the way.
Have you ever taken a breath of air early in the morning and realize God has given you another day to be a blessing to someone today. Romans 12:14-16 gives us the way to be a blessing to someone each day. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
God blessed Abraham in all things. Abraham gave all he had to Isaac. He blessed Isaac even as God blessed him. The story of Isaac blessing his son, Jacob, instead of his firstborn, Esau, is found in Genesis 27:28-29. May God give you of the dew of heaven and of the fatness of the earth and plenty of grain and wine. Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be everyone who blesses you!”
Isaac didn’t have any steps or ‘how-to’ to give Jacob his blessing. However, The Blessing, by Smalley and Trent, who have crystalized some clear cut ways of blessing spouse, children, parents and church family members.
They have set forth five different elements of a meaningful blessing:
1. A Meaningful Touch that communicates warmth, personal acceptance and affirmation.
2. A Spoken Message that includes words of love and acceptance.
3. Attaching a high Value to the one being blessed that portray honor on who they are.
4. Picturing a special Future for the one being blessed that indicates a special future.
5. An Active Commitment to fulfill the blessing is a responsibility that underlines to help in many ways day by day.
The book, The Blessing, also has an example of using a scriptural blessing: How blessed (Name) will be because you do not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor do you sit in the seat of scoffers. But as your parents, we have see you delight in the law of the Lord. You have been thinking about His law day and night. May God make you (Name) like a tree firmly planted by streams of water. May God allow you to grow and bear His fruit in His season and life will not wither and whatever you shall do, it will prosper! Psalm 1
Jesus blessed His Father in Heaven while on earth.
-Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Matthew 14:19
· –Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” Matthew 26:26
And more scriptures with ‘blessing’ that reminds us of His Power and Majesty and Love.
· – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Ephesians 1:3
· – So that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:14
· – Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. I Peter 3:9
· – And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” Revelation 5:13
· – And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” Revelation 7:11-12
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