Blessings
Psalms 10:22
Introduction
Last Sunday, we made a word study in our Sunday school about the word “Blessings”. We learned what it means and how it is used not only in the Old Testament times but also how it is used now. The Lord Jesus Christ is the source of all blessings. Temporal as well as spiritual blessings all come from Him, and we can receive blessings by our obedience and faith. This morning I will talk to you more about what the Lord bless us Christians.
I. He gives us Strength- moral and spiritual. (Isa. 40:31)
1. There are times that we get tired, discouraged, sad, lonely, as well as hated and rejected.
2. The Apostle Paul, as well as David, and the Prophets like Jeremiah have their own “lows” and discouragements.
3. They needed strength because they cannot make it their own
4. The Lord have given them the strength to move on and do what the Lord wanted them to do.
Paul experienced how to be abased and to abound. He suffered ship wreck, he was cold, hungry, persecuted, stoned to death, his life was always in danger in the wilderness , his countrymen hated him, the heathen wants to kill him, and many other hardships including care for the churches, yet he was able to say in Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. What the Lord did to Paul, He do it to us Christians, just put your trust in Him.
II. Deliverance and Guidance. ( 2 Chr. 32:22)
1. God delivered Hezekiah and Jerusalem from Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all other enemies
2. God guided them on every side: and guarded them all around, as a shepherd leads his flock, where they may be secure from all dangers.
3. God delivered the three friends of Daniel from the fiery furnace and from the fury of King Nebuchadnezzar.
4. The Lord Jesus Christ is our guide and He will guide us even unto death (Ps. 48:14)
5. We have the Holy Spirit now who guides us into all truth (Jn. 16:13).
John Oxenham wrote: Not for one single day can I discern my way, but this I surely know—He who gives the day Will show the way, So I securely go. Surely this man knows and trust that God will lead him, guide him, and will deliver him in every step on the way.
John Paton was a missionary in the New Hebrides Islands. One night hostile natives surrounded the mission station, intent on burning out the Patons and killing them. Paton and his wife prayed during that terror-filled night that God would deliver them. When daylight came they were amazed to see their attackers leave.
A year later, the chief of the tribe was converted to Christ. Remembering what had happened, Paton asked the chief what had kept him from burning down the house and killing them. The chief replied in surprise, “Who were all those men with you there?” Paton knew no men were present—but the chief said he was afraid to attack because he had seen hundreds of big men in shining garments with drawn swords circling the mission station.
III. A land to dwell with (Prov. 2:21)
1. The upright or the righteous will be given a land to dwell.
2. This is a promised blessing which is applicable to us also.
3. The lord will give us a place where we can stay and remain there.
I know a Godly family here in New Zealand who were denied permanent residency. They remained faithful to the Lord despite their repeated rejection from the Immigration Department. They are preparing to go back to their native place when the immigration officer changed his mind and given them permanent resident status. Now they are waiting to get their citizenship. The Lord have given them a land to dwell with.
IV. Good things in possession (Prov. 28:10)
1. The Lord will never withhold good things to His children
2. Whether it is material, spiritual, emotional, social, physical, or any other needs.
3. In answer to our prayers, the Lord Jesus Christ delights to grant all our petition and requests if it is in accordance to His will.
4. Christ have generously provided to lots of His children.
5. He never fails to give us our basic needs.
6. The trouble with us is we are never satisfied
7. Sometimes we fail to appreciate and be thankful for what the Lord have done for us.
8. Still Christ is faithful in providing us
In the latter part of the 17th century, German preacher August H. Francke founded an orphanage to care for the homeless children of Halle. One day when Francke desperately needed funds to carry on his work, a destitute Christian widow came to his door begging for a ducat—a gold coin. Because of his financial situation, he politely but regretfully told her he couldn’t help her.
Disheartened, the woman began to weep. Moved by her tears, Francke asked her to wait while he went to his room to pray. After seeking God’s guidance, he felt that the Holy Spirit wanted him to change his mind. So, trusting the Lord to meet his own needs, he gave her the money. Two mornings later, he received a letter of thanks from the widow. She explained that because of his generosity she had asked the Lord to shower the orphanage with gifts. That same day Francke received 12 ducats from a wealthy lady and 2 more from a friend in Sweden. He thought he had been amply rewarded for helping the widow, but he was soon informed that the orphanage was to receive 500 gold pieces from the estate of Prince Lodewyk Van Wurtenburg.
When he heard this, Francke wept in gratitude. In sacrificially providing for that needy widow, he had been enriched, not impoverished.
V. Conclusion:
Friends, brothers and sisters, the Lord Jesus Christ can give us all the blessings we need and ask for. If you are blessed by this message won’t you come to Christ now, be saved and receive blessings here and in the afterlife.
