The Wonder of God’s Blessings, Part 2
Psalm 87:7
Last time I wrote,
We often say, ‘God blesses us so that we can bless others.’ This is very true and this Psalm takes us deep into that principle. It teaches us that God gives us a fountain of blessings that abides within us.
Common Blessings
Yes, we had good things in our lives before we were Christians. We had times of joy and times of blessings before we surrendered to Christ. But they fell far short of the blessings we have now as His redeemed and beloved children of God.
Previously, we were recipients of the common graces that God shines upon everyone in this world.
Everyone, whether they love God or hate God, enjoys the beauty of God’s creation; a beautiful sunset, the view of snow-capped mountains, the majestic scene of a mighty ocean. Everyone, regardless of their faith or lack of faith in God, has the opportunity to enjoy love, family and friendship. These are the common graces of God that He gives to the world.
Special Blessings
But there are springs of joy that reside within God’s people which provide us blessings upon blessings that are far beyond the common graces of this world. The apostle Paul speaks of these special graces that are provided by God to His own loving people:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ… Ephesians 1.4
The apostle Peter wrote of our great blessings in his opening lines of 2 Peter:
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 1:2-3.
Everything means Everything
Both Paul and Peter use a descriptive word that is worth thinking about. Paul says, [we are] blessed us with every spiritual blessing.
Peter says, His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness.
God has given us everything we need.
- He’s given us everything we need to be saved, forgiven and secure for eternity in heaven. Ephesians 1:1-2:10
- He’s given us everything we need to grow in Him and honor Him with our lives. 2 Timothy 3:16, 17. Romans 5:1-5
- He’s given us everything we need to face the temptations of sin and Satan. Ephesians 6:10-18
- He’s given us everything we need to face trials and the difficulties of life. James 1:2-4. I Peter 4:12-19
God has given us everything [we need] pertaining to life and godliness.
When Jesus said, it is finished, (John 19:30), He was affirming that He had given everything so that we could have everything. When Jesus said, it is finished, He was proclaiming that His work has been finished, complete and His mission was accomplished.
We are the blessed recipients of His finished work.
Jesus speaks in Revelation 21:6 saying, It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.
As blessed recipients of the work of Christ, Jude 1 says we are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ.
Father, we are so grateful for the abundance we have received as Your beloved; Your blessed ones. Forgive us for not acknowledging and realizing at all times the fullness of what You have done and what You have given us. Knowing that You have given us everything we need; in return, we want to humbly honor You with our lives. Give us the strength and perseverance to live daily in submission to Your guidance and Your perfect will. Amen.