New-fashioned blessings

Happy are those who are merciful to others; God will be merciful to them!
Happy are the pure in heart; they will see God!
Happy are those who work for peace;
God will call them his children!
(verses 7-9)

Read Matthew 5: 1-10

The people who are described in these Bible verses as being ‘happy’ are people who have been blessed by God. You don’t hear the word ‘bless’ very much these days. When you do, it sounds old-fashioned. Perhaps it’s because ‘bless’ isn’t very specific. People might agree that in life there needs to be give and take, but they’ll want to know exactly what’s being taken before they’ll give. You can’t imagine the word ‘bless’ fitting into an employment contract, or a pre-nuptial agreement-there’s too much room for interpretation. A blessing won’t count for much unless it can be written down and measured in dollars.

God works differently. Following God won’t guarantee you the blessing of wealth (despite the promises of those late-night TV evangelists). And it won’t fast-track you to the top of business or society. The blessings God gives you are deeper and more lasting. Like the certainty of you being loved and accepted, no matter what. Of you being heard, and respected, even if you’re seen as the least important person on earth. Of you being welcomed as part of God’s family for eternity. That blessing will never go out of fashion.

Jesus, I admit I get trapped into the world’s ‘blessings’. Forgive me, and draw me closer to you, so that I can experience the real blessings of your love in my life. Amen.

by contributor, in ‘Direction for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2006)

Visit the Daily Devotion archives page.