Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Psalm 34:8
Blessings from God, or to be blessed, or to receive blessings, are something that we all desire without hesitation, yet often we miss the main point of divine blessing.
Often God’s blessing is seen as purely an eternal reality that is entered into when we go to heaven. And that future heavenly reality is an ultimate blessing indeed. But it can be that this ultimate heavenly blessing clouds out the reality of His present blessings to us. As someone said, “The promise of reward remains in heaven, but the joy of anticipation can be experienced now on earth.” [Grace Quotes].
As we know, the blessing of salvation is entered into now involving its many experienced blessings, such as peace with God (Rom 5.1). Also we are no longer under God’s condemnation for we have been justified (Rom 8.1). There are numerous other present blessings including inner joy, the fellowship of saints.
We also presently see God blessing us with many material blessings. He does this for what reason? To make us independent and self - sufficient? No!
He blesses us with little or much because he is sovereign and we are His children.
But in His blessing, he also tests us! He tests our love. Are we more grateful for the blessings God gives us, than we are for Him who gives us those blessings?
There is also another twist to consider in this earthly, divine blessing reality.
How should we respond? Surely it needs be to bless others with what God has blessed us with - right? David Garland rightly said, “God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving.”[Grace Quotes]
May we appreciate and respond rightly toward God, the giver of the greatest gift, His Son Jesus Christ and also multitudes of present blessing, with true love and devotion. This will be seen in our gratitude, our giving, and our deepening love for God who is the giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17).