Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.1
It is not uncommon to hear people boast of how God has blessed them with material wealth. As pleasant as that is, God’s blessing is not solely measured by material opulence. Otherwise, there should be no poor Christian, right? Yes, God is able! True, he provides a distinction between his chosen people and those that are not his.2 And provides us things for our enjoyment.3 Nevertheless, we are reminded that we are more valuable than the birds or the lilies; and God knows our needs. We are not to be anxious.4
We even consider good health as a mark of blessing. Indeed it is. Should God will to extend our existence, he can. The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.5 It would be unrealistic though to think that sickness means you are not blessed; if so, then no Christian should die a physical death. Have you considered that even the wilderness may be a blessing? Consider, it is in the wilderness that the word of God came to John.6
The ultimate blessing, in fact, is that in love [God] predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ.7 He chose us in him before the foundation of the earth.8 At our filthiest, unworthy state, God loved us unconditionally. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.9 This act is indeed unthinkable! It is impossible that a sinner can be with a Holy God. “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory! . . . Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”10 He has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace . . .11 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.12
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.13
Notes:
1. Psalm 62:8
2. Exodus 8:22-23
3. 1 Timothy 6:17
4. Matthew 6:25-32
5. Job 33:4
6. Luke 3:2
7. Ephesians 1:5
8. Ephesians 1:4
9. John 3:16
10. Isaiah 6:3,5
11. Ephesians 1:6-7
12. Ephesians 2:8-9
13. Ephesians 1:3
