Did you cheer when you read the title or did you flinch?
No, this isn't going to be one of THOSE posts. You know the ones of which I speak. This is the blog of a girl who cares about accuracy and not using words (or verses) out of context. I'm not a fan of hyperbole. I will admit to rolling my eyes when I see Facebook posts about how someone "is so blessed". Most of the time I honestly don't think it means what they think it means.
I've actually tried quite hard to remove the word completely from my vocabulary in the Facebook sense. You know... #blessed. I occasionally see it used correctly, but most of the time I flinch at the other side the poster may not have even considered.
For example.
If I'm blessed because I just celebrated my 8th anniversary, does that mean my friends who aren't married aren't blessed? Or the wife whose husband left her? Or the ones struggling through divorce? They certainly don't seem as blessed as I am.
If I'm blessed because I have 2 healthy children, does that mean those whose children are constantly sick or fighting for their lives are not blessed? Why do they struggle while my kids are rarely sick even with colds? What did they do to miss the blessing?
If I'm blessed to be healthy myself, what does that mean for those fighting illness and disease? Again, did they fail somewhere? Does God love them less?
Of course not!
On the flip side, there was a woman in the Bible who was BLESSED AMONG WOMEN. Anyone want her life? Didn't think so!
SO WHAT EXACTLY DOES BLESSED MEAN?
1.
consecrated; sacred; holy; sanctified:
the Blessed Sacrament.
2.
worthy of adoration, reverence, or worship:
the Blessed Trinity.
3.
divinely or supremely favored; fortunate:
to be blessed with a strong, healthy body; blessed with an ability tofind friends.
4.
blissfully happy or contented.
6.
bringing happiness and thankfulness:
the blessed assurance of a steady income.
So lots of things apparently. 1, 2, and 5 are generally referred to correctly, so I'm going to focus in on definitions 3, 4, and 6.
Blessed: To be divinely or supremely favored/fortunate
Blessed: Blissfully happy or contented
Blessed: Bringing happiness and thankfulness
The first is something bestowed ("blessed with health"), the second is a choice ("I'm blessed and content where I am, come what may"), and the 3rd seems to be more of a relief ("I'm glad that I have this opportunity/I'm thankful for this chance").
So what does the Bible say about "being blessed" (Note: I'm not referring to the Old Testament tradition of blessing, like Jacob & Esau.) So who are The Blessed?
Psalm 24:4-5: The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god, they will receive BLESSING from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior.
(Vindication: defense/justification)
Psalm 91:14: Because he loves me, says the Lord, I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges My Name.
Proverbs 3:3-4: Let love and faihfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win FAVOR and a good name in the sight of God and man.
Isaiah 30:18: The Lord is a God of justice. BLESSED are all who wait for Him!
Daniel 12:12-13: BLESSED is the one who waits for and reaches the end...as for you, go your way until the end. You will rest, and then at the end of days you will receive your allotted INHERITANCE.
Matthew 19:13/Mark 10:13/Luke 18:15: Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to PLACE HIS HANDS ON THEM AND PRAY FOR THEM.
Ephesians 6:2: Honor your father and mother--which is the first commandment with a PROMISE--that it may GO WELL with you and you may enjoy LONG LIFE on the earth.
And finally, my favorite and the clearest idea of WHO IS BLESSED BY GOD:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“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.
4
For me, if those persecuted in other nations can face death and not deny their Christ, if a blind woman can pen the words to Blessed Assurance, and a man who just lost his children can pen the words It Is Well With My Soul, I can believe that I am blessed regardless of my circumstances.
I am blessed because I am a daughter of the King of Kings, not because I have health or wealth. I am blessed because I have eternal life, not because I lead a charmed life. (I don't!) When persecution comes, when mourning comes, if what I have is taken away, I will be blessed because MINE IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOFu4FKTeks
