Blessed

Blessed are… (Matthew 5:3)

Do you count yourself blessed?

We’ve all seen the sign and many of us have one up in our homes or we see the hashtag #blessed to describe how we think we should feel. Many times we feel blessed because of physical blessings and indeed God, like any good Father, loves to do and give good things to His children. But we also can’t deny there are millions of Christians around the world who don’t wake up physically blessed each day but nevertheless live a life filled with peace and joy that comes from eternal blessings.

Would you still feel blessed if tomorrow everything was suddenly taken from you? Everything that gives you earthly joy stripped away? While it may seem unlikely in today’s society, as I watch the news I begin to wonder how far will government and earthly leaders go for their agenda of power and control, especially when it comes to Christians who worship and follow another leader, one they can’t see, fight or have voted out of office. There are many things I would have thought impossible a couple years ago that I can now think of as within the grasp of reality.

Of course our blessed hope is our knowledge we won’t be here for the finale but we don’t know how much we will see and bear. But we know that He has already provided the Helper who is with us until it’s time for Him to come for His bride.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)

In the meantime, we must concentrate on the blessings that cannot be taken. We can give them up but they are spiritual blessings we can take with us everywhere.

Matthew 5:3-11:

• “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
• “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
• “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
• “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
• “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
• “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
• “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons[a] of God.
• “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
• “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.