physical blessings in the bible

When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface: "It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Their identification with Jesus Christ had brought on them the reproach of Christ and the opposition and persecution of unbelieving Jews. Through suffering we are blessed in many ways: And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Romans 5:3-5). Salvation is "in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 2:10). All things are yours. Jesus said, Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5). There are no places to do pilgrimages in Christianity. Why are they wrong? When we observe the Lords Supper, we are partaking ofphysical elements, the bread and the cup, which convey aspiritual message (I Cor. What Does It Really Mean That Your Body Is a Temple? Such suffering serves as a test of our faith and obedience as we see from Jobs experiences.99 Precisely at times like these, Gods people find their perspectives changing and discover Gods presence as their true source of blessing: Surely God is good to Israel, To those who are pure in heart! I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. (2) In what ways does God bless all men? Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Deuteronomy 28:1-68 ESV / 265 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful "And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. In the early days of Davids life, he was misunderstood and chided by his brothers (1 Samuel 17:20-30). Temporal blessings are not to be measured so much in terms of material prosperity, physical health, or the absence of pain, as in the enjoyment of Gods presence. They would do especially well to give careful thought to this text in Hebrews: And what more shall I say? And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. Oh, God, help us to live with faith. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. The way you handle matters like this triggers God, your Gods, blessing in everything you do, all your work and ventures. Deuteronomy 15:10 (Msg), Worship the Lord your God and his blessing will be on your food and water. Verses 3-14. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toilthis is the gift of God. Transcript Craig Scott Pastor, United Church of God You shall serve the Lord your God, and he will bless your bread and your water, and I will take sickness away from among you. But if your heart turns away and you will not obey, but are drawn away and worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today that you shall surely perish. With the coming of Christ, the blessings of God are more spiritual than material, and they come to those who appear not to be blessed as men would appraise blessing (see Luke 6:20-23). To have enough faith is to have the means to move God into blessing us as we think best, they say. While the Old Testament records many instances in which Israel suffered for their sins, texts like this one in Psalm 44 indicate there are times when Gods people suffer innocently, for His sake (see verse 22). But this command I gave them: Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. Such eternal blessings are far greater than any temporary physical blessings we could receive. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. Deuteronomy 28:1-2. Then in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet complete (Genesis 15:13-16). Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future all are yours, and you are Christs, and Christ is Gods. It is I who answer and look after you. of The unnamed author of this epistle reminds these Christians of their Old Testament roots. And there shall no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His bond-servants shall serve Him; and they shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. Thou dost give us as sheep to be eaten, And hast scattered us among the nations. Romans 4:3-8; 5:3-5; 8:18-25, 28; 12:14 Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. (18) Christians will suffer--and not just for sin. Some toyed with the thought of turning back into Judaism to escape persecution. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed. Proverbs 3:13-18 (NIV), The memory of the righteous will be a blessing. Proverbs 10:7 (NIV), He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. Proverbs 21:21 (NIV), Jesus said to his host, When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. That plan incorporates all things (Romans 8:28), which includes pain, suffering, and sorrow. The promised blessings of the Bible are the good which God has purposed and promised. At the time of Sarahs death, the land of Canaan was possessed by the Canaanites (Genesis 12:6) and Abraham did not own any part of the promised land. Those honest enough to admit it reason something like this: God wants to bless me. But if you carefully obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. While we should not seek suffering in this life, we should expect it, recognizing it as a part of the plan of a loving God who is bringing about our good and His glory. Z. Foolishly, they sought to keep the Israelites subject to them as slaves and to keep them from leaving their land (Exodus 1:8-22). The Bereans "received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (Acts 17:10-11). For I was envious of the arrogant, As I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For He knows the secrets of the heart. Blessings, Physical. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. (Marriage and children are both a blessing, but neither is without its trials and suffering.) If we do not understand Gods temporal blessings, and His eternal blessings, we will not understand the plan of God. The common factor in all the blessings in the Bible is this: God's Kingdom. Thus, his wait would have been more than twenty-five years. His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Psalm 112:1-2 (NIV), Blessed are those who keep my ways. Proverbs 8:32 (NIV), Each of these blessings depends on your not turning aside in any way from the laws I have given you; and you must never worship other gods. Deuteronomy 28:14 (Living), Blessed is the man you discipline, O Lord, the man you teach from your law. Psalm 94:12 (NIV), It is sin to despise ones neighbors; blessed are those who help the poor. Proverbs 14:21 (NLT), It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35 (NIV), A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. Proverbs 22:9 (NIV), Good people will be generous to others and will be blessed for all they do. Isaiah 32:8 (NLT), Blessed is the man who finds wisdom and gains understanding. Proverbs 3:13 (NIV), A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. Proverbs 28:20 (NIV), The Lords curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. Proverbs 3:33 (NIV), People curse the man who hoards grain, but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell. Proverbs 11:26 (NIV), He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy. Proverbs 14:21 (NIV), Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. Proverbs 16:20 (NIV), An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning will not be blessed at the end. Proverbs 20:21 (NIV), It will go well with those who convict the guilty and rich blessing will come upon them. Proverbs 24:25 (NIV), Blessed is the man who always fears the Lord but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble. Proverbs 28:14 (NIV), The Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. Cursing may be accomplished by what appears to be Gods blessing. We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless. He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. You cannot be richer than a Christian. As Asaph protested centuries ago in Psalm 73, the wicked may prosper, and the righteous may suffer. Bob was born and raised in a Christian home i More, The Net Pastors Journal, Eng. The prophets suffered themselves and also spoke of the Messiah to come as the One who would suffer for the sins of men (Isaiah 52:13--53:12). G . Blessed be the name of the Lord (Job 1:21). Routinely, such letters go in the trash without my even opening them. He leads me beside still waters. When Jesus began to teach His disciples concerning His coming rejection, suffering, and death in Jerusalem, even His disciples reacted. Redemption speaks of buying one's freedom, paying a ransom. The reason, we are told, is that God wanted them to enter into blessings with us, at the same time. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Gods blessing is not based upon human merit or works, but upon His grace. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. You will be blessed when you come in and when you go out. Many were the times in Israels history when God brought calamity upon His people due to their sins, yet the nation Israel never seemed to learn her lesson (see Psalm 78). B But Peter was wrong for supposing that Gods blessings were incompatible with suffering. If we had forgotten the name of our God, Or extended our hands to a strange god; Would not God find this out? Peter rejected the thought out of hand. By paying to God what we owe Him (that is, His tithes), He rewards us with blessings. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. Undergrace, eating a ham sandwich is acceptable. Verse Concepts. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? The Bible teaches that all spiritual blessings are available only "in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3). They have been waiting for us to join them in entering into Gods promised blessings. When I pondered to understand this, It was troublesome in my sight Until I came into the sanctuary of God; Then I perceived their end. Blessings have to do with God's Kingdom. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. 2 Chronicles 36:15-16 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Eve was cursed with pain in child-bearing and with the dominion of her husband over her. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, God forbid it, Lord! Suffering at the hand of a gracious God is a comfort, for our chastening evidences that we are Gods sons: For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart. And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. In order to receive God's spiritual blessings, one must be in the right spiritual location, that is, in Christ. Somehow, in Gods perfect plan and according to Gods promises, Gods blessings would not come apart from suffering. Pastor John, hello! The difference between these two categories is not that one group has faith while the other does not. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. He who overcomes shall inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. Thou dost cause us to turn back from the adversary; And those who hate us have taken spoil for themselves. H In this glorious anthem, in which the apostle, tracing all to the Divine Fountain, enumerates the glorious privileges of the Church, and blesses God for them, he first (ver. And my people shall never again be put to shame. But what does it mean to truly be blessed according to Scripture? 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. Moms come in all shapes and sizes, but one thing's for sureall moms need to connect with other moms! 6:8). God chose Israel as the object of His blessings. And he will bless you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. In Christ, God bore the curse of sin and death and provided for us eternal life in its place. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. How is it related to cursing? Or at another moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to build up or to plant it; if it does evil in My sight by not obeying My voice, then I will think better of the good with which I had promised to bless it (Jeremiah 18:7-10). And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. And He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord. If we get hungry for God and follow his commands if we seek spiritual growth, physical blessing will follow. In our identification with Christ, we enter into His rejection and persecution by men, and in so doing are blessed by a closer walk with Him, a deeper fellowship with Him, and a growing hunger for heaven and the full blessings of God (see 2 Corinthians 4 and 5; Philippians 3:10; 1 Peter 2-4). Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. But notice that in the list of things that belong to us is death. Here are 20 BIble verses about God's blessing that show us how He blesses us materially and spiritually, and that Jesus Christ as our atonement for sin is the ultimate blessing God has given to all. And he said, Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake (Matthew 5:10). Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that {the limb} which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed (Hebrews 12:3-13). And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. He blesses men out of His grace and curses out of His holiness. Revelation 21 and 22. Nearly six hundred years passed from the promise of possessing this land to the time his seed actually acquired the land. Before one can receive . Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it. God not only graciously blesses men, He also graciously delays the curse so that men might be saved (see Romans 9:22-24). In everything [not just some thingsand not just spiritual things] give thanks: for this is thewill of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (I Thes. Be lord over your brothers, and may your mother's sons bow down to you. Our very clothing is a physicalblessing. When we understand the difference between Gods temporal blessings and His eternal blessings, we learn to expect suffering and trials as a part of His plan, and as a part of His program to bring about eternal blessing for us. The writer to the Hebrews differs with such thinking. (6) How can a clear understanding of divine blessings help us to better understand Gods eternal plan, especially as it relates to man? The great nation was still one seed, Jacob. He restores my soul. We will be part of Gods family: They shall be called sons of God (Matthew 5:9). When our Lord presented Himself as Israels Messiah, He taught a great deal about the blessings of God. But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling; My steps had almost slipped. Thus, the blessings of the Old Testament are partial and provisional. Selah. Jeremiah 29:11 planning hope promises. Gods plan is purposed to bring glory to Himself and blessing to us. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-- having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of Gods own possession, to the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:3-14). His master said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant. (6) The Jews concluded those who prospered were pious (spiritual, righteous), while those who suffered were sinners. Jesus teaching concerning His own suffering and death took His disciples by surprise: From that time Jesus Christ began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us. Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for in the same way their fathers used to treat the false prophets. Publisher: OpenBible.info. Biblical blessings are often associated with protection and happiness. The way human beings experience God's blessing changes with the redemptive storyline that traverses the major peaks of creation, fall, redemption, and final restoration. Our faith in God and in His promise will result in the obedience of faith (Genesis 17:9-14; Romans 4:9-24; Hebrews 11:13-31; James 2:14-26). The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Verse Concepts. Suffering is also a blessing because it is a part of Gods process of sanctification. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed (Genesis 12:1-3). My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.. Of late I have been having discussions with my friends around what it means to be blessed. I have become a cynic when it comes to promises received in the mail. What a verse! Hebrews 11 and 12 In what ways does God bless only Christians? Divine blessing in the Bible is always physical and spiritual because it is fixed upon the reality of the fullness of life in the presence of God. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. Christ is the source of all our blessings; indeed, He is the blessing: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. Worship the Lord your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. With Thy counsel Thou wilt guide me, And afterward receive me to glory. We will be co-owners of the whole world: They shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5). God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear him! To be spiritual they say is the assurance of earthly pleasures; to be sinful is to bring upon oneself pain and suffering. But just what has God promised to do for Abraham? See what over 150,000 subscribers are already receiving each day. Give, and it will be given to you. Almost daily, some bulk mailing assures me I am the lucky winner of one of several prizes. All I need do is contact them to identify my prize. Deuteronomy 8:2-6; 28; 30:15-20 He suffered because of his deception concerning Sarah. May God give you of the dew of heaven and of the fatness of the earth and plenty of grain and wine. Now the first thing we notice is that God lets us know that he is a healer. Philippians 4:19 trust Jesus. Peter, who once rejected the idea of suffering, later has much to say about suffering in his epistles. At other times, Israels suffering was not due to her unbelief and rebellion. (17) The blessings our Lord accomplished on the cross of Calvary will not all be poured out on men in this life. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. He shall receive a blessing from the Lord. They suppose prosperity is ones reward for being spiritual and that suffering is the consequence of sin. Jacob struggled with Laban (see Genesis 31:42). PO Box 756 Fax: (262) 255-4195 There will always be some among you who are poor. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. If a nation turned from God, its promised blessings would be taken away: At one moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to uproot, to pull down, or to destroy it; if that nation against which I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent concerning the calamity I planned to bring on it. Restore unto me the joy of my salvation, Father. The temporal blessings of Judaism were tempting in the light of the affliction they faced as Christians. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us. Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" ( Matthew 5:5 ). They will attack you from one direction, but they will run from you in seven directions. BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT (Romans 4:3-8). Suffering is both a blessing, and a means of blessing, when it is suffering for Christs sake: For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps (1 Peter 2:21). In summing up his life before Pharaoh, Jacob gave an account not of unceasing bliss but of much affliction: So Jacob said to Pharaoh, The years of my sojourning are one hundred and thirty; few and unpleasant have been the years of my life, nor have they attained the years that my fathers lived during the days of their sojourning (Genesis 47:9). The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The Hebrews were Christians who came out of Judaism by faith in Jesus Christ. His desire was to demonstrate His blessings to all men so that men from every nation would seek blessing in Him. When we struggle with sin and the flesh (Romans 7), we know it is because we have become a new creation in Christ. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.. The Israelites were greatly blessed in number while they sojourned in Egypt (Exodus 1:5-7). Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Download Article. In all that he does, he prospers. (1) The Jews thought of Gods blessings primarily in terms of the here and now, while Gods Word speaks of the fulfillment of His promised blessings in terms of the future. While we are clothedspiritually in Christs righteousness, I wouldnt advise leavinghome physically unclothed. Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. Joseph, one of the Bibles great heroes and a son of Jacob, suffered a great deal in his early life. He makes me lie down in green pastures. Eternal blessings are experienced by saints who have been transformed into the image of Christ, whose mortal bodies are left behind and who live in a new world free of sin, of Satan, and of the curse (see 1 Corinthians 15:35-58; 1 John 3:2; Revelation 21 and 22). A Psalm of David. Amram's sons: Aaron and Moses.Aaron, along with his descendants, was set apart forever to consecrate the most holy things, to burn incense in the presence of Yahweh, to minister to Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name forever.