Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- March 23, 2014
“But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Luke 1:43
Sometimes you wonder why God has blessed you so much. You pinch yourself because of the overwhelming blessing of God. It may be gratitude for life itself or for a new baby. It may be the blessing of God a good friend is experiencing. Your joy may be because your children married people who place God at the top of their priority list, or because your career has taken off to a level of success you never imagined, and your financial abundance exceeds your expectations many times over. You often question why you are the recipient of God’s magnificent grace. The magnitude of His blessing seems to be greater than normal because you are the object of Almighty God’s sovereign selection of unmerited favor.
It is good that you have not gotten over your gratitude to God. Your faith would be suspect if you routinely expected God to go over the top on your behalf. This type of presumption regarding God’s favor is influenced by pride because it not only expects but demands the blessing of God. However, joyful obedience is God’s expectation of you; He expects your surrender and submission. Doing His will is the least you can do, for He has chosen you for this opportunity to exalt Him. Never get over the fact that faith in God and obedience to His commands position you to be blessed at His discretion (1 Chronicles 29:12).
Furthermore, embrace those who have been graced with God’s blessing. Wish only His very best for them. Do not be jealous because you did not receive what they received. The Bible says that the Lord made us all unique. “Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly” (Romans 12:6a NASB). Be grateful that you can hang out with those on whom God’s hand rests. He will choose to bless others differently than you, but blessing differentiations are meant to promote celebration, not division. This is how God expresses His sovereign control. He even blesses those outside the faith to promote His kingdom. He uses His indiscriminate blessings to draw good, but unredeemed people to Himself.
Blessing is the Lord’s lightning rod for the remembrance of a righteous God. The next time a friend is blessed by God, turn your inner snarl into an authentic smile. Be extremely grateful that He allows you to live or work with someone who is blessed to have the hand of God on his or her life. “Rejoice with those who rejoice…” (Romans 12:15a). These special, chosen servants are rare indeed. They are energizing to be around because they encourage you to be better. You don’t feel patronized, but privileged to be in their presence.
Trustworthy followers of Jesus are rare, so seek to learn from them and model their wise and humble ways. Watch how God works in their lives. Emulate their pure hearts for the Lord. God has you where you are for a season. Seize this time to learn from those who know how to lean on the Lord. Be thrilled that He has trusted you with this relational stewardship. God’s blessing is bountiful, so be aggressively appreciative that you and others are so blessed. Gratefully accept His blessing on your life and the lives of others. When you ask, “Why me?” remember it is because He wants you to be blessed on His behalf. Therefore ask, “Why not me?”
Taken from the March 23rd reading in Boyd’s 365-day devotional book, “Seeking Daily the Heart of God vol. 1” … http://bit.ly/Tv6y9a
Post/Tweet today: Our blessings are the Lord’s lightning rod for remembrance of our generous God. #whyme?
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I’ve read your posts for while. Have agreed with most. Today’s lost concerns me. It seems counter to what I understand Gods blessings to be. Nancy Leigh de moss says anything that makes me need God is ultimately in the truest sense a blessing.
This would mean that cancer, financial loss, betrayal by the world, hardships, persecution- would all fit into the definition of a blessing from God.
Paul speaks of it in Philippians- he counts it all loss – be abyss having lost all that the world would say is a blessing, he gained Christ.
I have a fourth child who has Down Syndrome. Everything has been challenging. But oh the rewards of the blessing. God allowed this and it has been for my family’s good! Is anyone jealous of us? No. Does everyone ask me”did you know?” Yes because no one wants hardships. My husband and Father if four incredible children left us in 2012. He is making now a lot if money. Everything looks easy and successful in his life from the standpoint of the worlds definition of blessing.
But I believe he has traded away his peace and contentment. He may look like he’s blessed but he seems to have traded true riches and blessings.
We live by daily bread. We used to have an expensive home, lake property and lots of stuff. We seemed successful. But honestly we weren’t living as if we needed God. We did everything double minded.
Its now when my kids and I see Gods hand daily providing for our every need, that we get to see Gods intimate blessings. We have not gone hungry, and we’ve filled a grateful journal with miracles of Gods grace for us. He has never left us. But like laura story’s song blessing goes,
What if blessings look like raindrops.
We’ve learned to be grateful for everything and see it all comes from Jehovah Jireh. He is faithful. He gives generously and abundantly more then we could ask or imagine according to the power that is within us in Christ Jesus. We have learned the gift of contentment – a true blessing. No one would want our situation. But those who have traveled this road would say- it is well with my soul. And no matter what, all will be well because God is Immanuel, not because of anything we have. But because of who He is and who we belong to who is Faithful and True.
Indeed, my richest blessings are in His love that calls us to come utterly dependent upon Him. And that has caused me to take Refuge in Him.
Truly, the only true blessing we need is Jesus. He is our city if Refuge from the storm, our fortress, very present help in times if trouble, and our redeemer, rescuer and restorer of the broken walls. He changes our affections to desire him above anything this world offers. He is our rock,our hope and our anchor. Hebrews 6:13-17.
So Hebrews 12 tells us how we should respond in light of this unshakable hope in Him and not our circumstances.
He alone is my Refuge. And his word says
Taste and see that The Lord is good; Blessed is the man who takes Refuge in Him
Psalm 34:8
That is what He has taught me about Blessings.
Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts as you share yours.
I will bless The Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1
May The Lord continue to bless and keep you.
In Christ alone,
Dear Becky~ Thank you so much for taking the time to reach out to Wisdom Hunters regarding the devotional, “Why Me?” Your comments were thought provoking and your story itself was a real BLESSING to me! You are a faithful mom serving God as you raise your precious children. And what a blessing you are to those children, every day I am sure.
This devotional also spoke to those that perhaps, do not feel blessed when they are struggling with trials so heavy the “blessing” may be clouded. I am so thankful you honestly recognize His Blessings for you and your family! You wrote “Its now when my kids and I see God’s hand daily providing for our every need, that we get to see God’s intimate blessing”. PRAISE GOD! His “light” shines bright through you to your family and all around you!
While there were parts on this devotional that you feel may not pertain to you, please know that there were probably many that don’t share the clarity of their blessings as wonderfully as you do. But Becky, I cannot help but think, your mighty example of thankfulness and grace opens the eyes of many around you so that one day they will regocognize their blessings.
There is one line in this devotional that I feel pertains to all of us: “Never get over the fact that faith in God and obedience to His commands position you to be blessed at His discretion”.
Thank you again, Becky, for sharing your insight and wise words. We are so thankful that you are a fellow wisdom hunter!
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne
Gwynne Maffett
Wisdom Hunters
gwynne@wisdomhunters.com
YES–Gratitude-