Last week I had the privilege of sitting down with a good friend and simply catching up on life. Our conversation quickly turned from the details of our recent activities to what God has been teaching and showing us. My friend imparted a piece of wisdom that I'd like to pass along.
Often in our prayers, we pray for blessing. We pray that God will bless our marriages, our families, our jobs. We pray for blessings for protection and security, for provision over our plans, for the absence of pain and sorrow.
And though it's good to pray for these things and God loves to provide His children with good gifts (Luke 11:13), often it is not through these things that we are most greatly blessed. Instead, it is through the hard times, the death of a loved one, uncertainty of a job, frustrations with friends or family, through which we are most greatly blessed. For it is during these times that we draw closest to God. It is in this times we are humbled and reminded of our fininiteness. My friends, anything that draws us closer to God is a blessing.
Often in our prayers, we pray for blessing. We pray that God will bless our marriages, our families, our jobs. We pray for blessings for protection and security, for provision over our plans, for the absence of pain and sorrow.
And though it's good to pray for these things and God loves to provide His children with good gifts (Luke 11:13), often it is not through these things that we are most greatly blessed. Instead, it is through the hard times, the death of a loved one, uncertainty of a job, frustrations with friends or family, through which we are most greatly blessed. For it is during these times that we draw closest to God. It is in this times we are humbled and reminded of our fininiteness. My friends, anything that draws us closer to God is a blessing.
He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:3-12
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