Obedience Brings Blessings. Blessings are Life! Speak Them!
Thank you for being here. Our topic is a very important one. We will be judged for the words we speak. The Word of God is full of God's Blessings or His Words of life. Do you speak life or death? Consider this word seriously. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to you and depend on Him to bring any necessary changes into your life. Eric
"The concept of divine blessing is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting God's favor, provisions and grace (blessings) bestowed upon His people. These promises of blessing offers assurance and hope to believers who walk in faith and obedience." (Bible Hub Topical Encyclopedia).
There are many Scriptures found in the Word of God which reveal the Lord's heart concerning the divine blessings He wishes to bestow upon His children.
Believers receive both earthly and spiritual blessings from the Lord. We will be looking at both.
Psalm 115:15 (NIV) reads, "May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." Barak is the Hebrew word translated 'blessed' in this verse. It means abundantly blessed (NAS Exhaustive Concordance).
Blessings, whether flowing from God to mankind, from mankind back to God, from one person to another, or making a request for God's blessing on our own life "marks decisive moments of covenant, worship, inheritance, judgment and hope." (Bible Hub Topical Lexicon).
The word 'barak' also describes the physical act of kneeling, revealing that true blessing springs from humility before the Lord. Believers who seek to live righteously and those whose lifestyle reflects one who doesn't take advice or guidance that leads away from God's commandments will be blessed.
Our obedience to the Word of the Lord leads to divine favor. If we turn from the wicked, obey God and meditate on His Word day and night, we will be successful in all we do. (Psalm 1:1-3).
Since the Scriptures reveal that when we faithfully obey and have a heart that is aligned with God's will (His Word), we will receive His blessings and favor, we need to be intentional and diligent in our obedience to God and His Word. We need to "faithfully obey". Then, when we do, His blessings "will come upon you and overtake you." (Deuteronomy 28:1,2 ESV). This indicates God's nature is such that when His people obey it leads to their receiving His blessings, or divine favor and a fullness of His promises. Then, the phrase 'overtake you' implies an overwhelming and unavoidable nature of God's favor. The blessings of the Lord which the Israelites would receive for that faithful and careful obedience included: prosperity, health, victory over enemies and fruitful harvests.
2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV) reads, "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." The word charis which in this verse is translated 'blessing' also means grace and favor. God's provision through His blessings (grace or favor) is comprehensive and sufficient. We see the repetition of the word 'all' in this verse - "all things, all times and all that you need." That assures us we have everything necessary for our spiritual and physical well-being and allows us the capability to perform the good works the Lord calls us to. We need to understand that we do not receive the Lord's earthly blessings because we deserve them. He gives them so we can bless others. HELPSWord-studies reveals His blessings are "freely extended to give Himself away to people because He is disposed to bless them." All of our earthly blessings are due to His divine goodness.
Psalm 1:1-3 (ESV) reads, "Blessed (having grace, kindness and favor) is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers." Those who delight in the law of God, meditates on it, and rejects a worldview and lifestyle that leads away from God will be stable, nourished, have vitality and be productive in all he does. What a blessing!
Ephesians 1:3 reveals, "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." The first thing to note about this verse is that it begins with praise to God, "Blessed" used in the first phrase is eulogetos which is used only in reference to God, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Eulogetos means: worthy of praise, entitled to receive blessing from and to celebrate by praising. Only God is inherently praiseworthy.
The second usage of 'blessed' in the phrase 'blessed us in Christ,' is eulogeo meaning: given us what is beneficial, prospered or bestowed blessings. As believers, we are recipients of God's favor and grace. The blessings noted in this verse are not material but spiritual. They have an eternal and heavenly nature. Spiritual blessings include: redemption, forgiveness, adoption as God's children, wisdom, understanding, the indwelling Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The gifts of the Holy Spirit includes: the word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healings, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues and interpretation of tongues.
All spiritual blessings are mediated through Jesus. (John 1:16; Colossians 2:10). "The Father is the originator of every spiritual blessing (gift) and the Holy Spirit is the executor who applies the work of Christ in our hearts and lives." (Gotquestions.org).
In all of the earthly and spiritual blessings we receive from the Lord, He has provided everything we need to live a godly life. Praise our wonderful Lord!
"Words can have a major impact on influencing and shaping reality in the lives of individuals, communities and churches, etcetera. Blessings are powerful declarations that convey God's favor, invoke His presence and impact spiritual and material prosperity." (Bible Hub Topical Encyclopedia).
The significance of spoken blessings in the Old Testament is that they were not a wish or simply a desire. They were divine promises.
One of the earliest instances of God's spoken promised blessing is found in Genesis 12:2 and 3 ((NIV) when the LORD called Abram to leave his country, people, and household. Verses 2 and 3 reads, "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." Everyone of thee blessings came to pass. What an exceptional revelation. God blesses so we can be a blessing, and those who bless us will be blessed!
We see the irrevocable nature of spoken blessings when we read the account of Isaac speaking a blessing to Jacob rather that Esau, the eldest, in Genesis 27. In verse 33 Isaac told Esau, concerning his spoken blessing over Jacob, "I blessed him - and indeed he will be blessed." Once the blessing was spoken, it carried a binding power and could not be retracted.
The Scripture clearly teaches us about the significance and consequences of the words we speak.
Proverbs 18:21 instructs, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Our spoken words are powerful and they have the potential to heal, encourage, lift up, dishearten or damage. We must make a conscious decision regarding the words we speak, especially when we are frustrated or angry. We can speak life and peace into a situation or death and chaos.
Jesus spoke blessings when He spoke to the crowds at the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:3-12, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Blessings are sometimes promises of future rewards, but can also be present affirmations of God's favor and kingdom values.
Our gracious loving Heavenly Father does not object to our asking Him for blessings. In 1 Chronicles 4:9 and 10, Jabez asked God to bless him and God granted his request.
We find warnings about misusing our tongues by the words we speak. James 3:8-10 (NIV) instructs us, "but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be." Then , we read in Ephesians 4:29 (NIV), "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
How important is it that we control our mouths and the words we speak? Matthew 12:36 (BSB) reveals, "But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken." Help us Lord!
The LORD told Moses to instruct the priests to bless the children of Israel by speaking this blessing over them. Numbers 6:22-27 (NKJV) reads, "And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 23 "Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, 'This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: 24 "The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; 26 The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace."' 27 "So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them." 'Make His face shine upon you' signifies divine favor and presence, or approval and blessing. God's 'face' represents His attention and care. 'Be gracious' refers to the unmerited favor and kindness from God. God is willing to forgive, shows compassion toward and gives mercy to His children. 1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV) reveals that believers are a 'chosen generation, a royal priesthood' and just as He instructed the priests to speak His blessing to the people of Israel, we can also speak His blessing to ourselves and His creation.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) reads, “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." The plans to 'prosper' you according to the NAS Exhaustive Concordance includes: completeness, soundness, welfare, peace, wholeness and well-being.
The Word of God has all authority and power. We read in Isaiah 55:11 that His Word will not return to Him empty. It accomplishes what it is sent forth to accomplish. God's declarations and blessings or promises are certain.
Our words have a profound impact. They have creative or destructive power. Proverbs 18:21b reads, "those who love it will eat its fruit." This phrase suggests that people who understand the power of their words will experience the consequences of the words they speak.
We need to be aware of what words come from our mouth and choose to communicate with life-giving words.
As we seek wisdom and understanding through our study of the Word of God, we can cultivate a heart that produces 'life-giving' words. (Blessings).
Our words will align with the teaching of Jesus or the Word of God and we can begin to speak life in every situation!
"When you bless in accordance with God's purpose, your blessing is prophetic and powerful." (EnlivenBloghttps://www.enlivenpublishing.com).
When we speak blessings - we speak life over ourselves and others!
Choose to speaking blessings!
Choose to speak life!
Choose to speak peace!
Choose to build others and yourself up by speaking blessings!
Scriptures used are from the:
NIV New International Version
NAS New American Standard
ESV English Standard Version
BSB Berean Standard Bible
NKJV New King James Version