BLESSING

"If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,' and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?" (James 2:15-16).

 

James is drawing a very clear distinction between what we say and what we do.  To say, "bless you" is practically meaningless to one in need unless we also do what is in our power to actually provide the blessing.  In other words, we should be willing to back up our words of blessing with acts of blessing.  When you pray for someone, if it is in your power to answer the prayer--do it!  If someone needs $100 and you have $100--it is good to pray for them to receive the $100 they need.  But don't stop there--reach into your wallet and answer the prayer by giving them $100.

 

Today, let's join God in answering prayers.  Let's become blessings!

BLESSING

"Don't say to yourselves, 'The Lord has given us this land because we are so righteous!'" (Deut. 9:4). "The Lord your God is not giving you this good land because you are righteous, for you are not--you are a stubborn people" (Deut. 9:6).

 

It is a mistake to think that we have somehow earned God's blessing--that He is good to us because we are "being good". It is the essence of God's grace to give something that is not deserved. It is unmerited favor. God blesses because He loves--not because we are good enough to deserve it. It is in our nature to assume that prosperity flows out of our obedience to God and that pain must then always be a consequence of disobedience. Biblically, that kind of thinking just doesn't hold up. In the Bible, we find examples of righteous people experiencing great pain and sinners enjoying great prosperity. Surprisingly, both are expressions of God's love. So, today as you journey, bask in the good times as an undeserved and loving gift of God. . . . and as you struggle through the difficulties, know that pain is useful to forever change us for the better. May we humbly accept the gracious gift of God--both the pleasant and the painful.