JANUARY 4 - Be a Blessing

JANUARY 4 - Be a Blessing

 

I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. . . . Through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.

— GENESIS 22:17 – 18

 

Would you like to know for sure that God’s favor rests upon you? The clue is in today’s verse. The angel the Lord was saying to Abraham, “The reason I am blessing you is so that you, in turn, can pass on the blessing to all nations. They will receive something through you, and it is in this way you shall know my hand of favor is upon you.”

 

Few of us are called to bless entire nations. But everyone has a circle of family and friends. The surest evidence that the Lord’s hand of blessing is upon you is when others get blessed through you. When you encourage fainthearted believers, wounded friends, discouraged saints, curious pagans, or questioning onlookers, you can be sure you have God’s blessing. It happens when you point people to the Lord through your unwavering example, perseverance through trials, or spirit of gentleness or gratitude. The greatest blessing God can ever bestow upon us is Jesus. Get to know him, and the blessing that results will be something you just have to pass on.

 

Is the joy of your relationship with Jesus overflowing to those around you? Is their prayer life deepening because of time spent with you in prayer? Has their boldness in witnessing ratcheted up a notch because your witness rubs off on them? If so, God’s hand of blessing is upon you. To be blessed is to be pushed deeper, higher, and further into the heart of the Savior, so that his comfort and encouragement can be passed on to others.

 

I covet your favor and approval in my life, dear Lord. Keep prodding me to pass on your joy and encouragement to others, and I will have the assurance of your pleasure and blessing upon me.