Blessed (Wk 03)

#blessed 3

I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For

God desires to bless our lives abundantly, but it goes beyond the heart of the Father delighting in blessing his children. It is his compassionate heart for the world around us, and his desire to touch and bless them though us.

Today— If God wants me blessed, and blessed means happy, favored, enviably fortunate, where do I find this happiness? How do I get to this life of blessing?

(Matthew 5:1–12) Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 

3 “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.

1. Poor in Spirit

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Three ways we miss it:

With rebellion (like the prodigal)

(Luke 15:16–17) The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything. 17 “When he finally came to his senses…

With religion (like the Pharisees)

(Luke 18:9–14) He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

With reliance upon your qualities and resources (like many in the “Bible Belt”)

(Revelation 3:17) For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

2. Those Who Mourn

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

(Hebrews 11:36) Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

3. The Meek

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

(Matthew 11:28) Come unto me, all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

4. Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

(John 4:25-26) The woman said, “I don’t know about that. I do know that the Messiah is coming. When he arrives, we’ll get the whole story.” 26 “I am he,” said Jesus. 

“You don’t have to wait any longer or look any further.”

“You don’t have to wait any longer or look any further.”—Jesus