Another special day of thanksgiving is upon us, giving the wonderful opportunity to take account of the many blessings we have, especially for family and friends. Even though many here and throughout the world have huge challenges, there is something for which everyone can give thanks as we each have many blessings in our lives.
What is a blessing?
“What,” one may ask, “is a blessing”? The tendency is to make the focus our families, financial status, lifestyle, or our health. Needless to say, these are wonderful blessings if we enjoy at least a moderate lifestyle, have enough funds to pay our bills, and enjoy benefits of physical and mental health. These may at least partially be the result of being responsible stewards of not only what the LORD has put into our hands but how we also have cared for ourselves and possessions. Hopefully, we share our resources, giving a portion of them for the benefit of others. Is that not one of the benefits of learning that giving to others, including the tithe toward the LORD’s work, is a privilege; and, understanding that ultimately all resources come from God!
No, it’s not ALL yours. It ALL belongs to God. You are only temporarily managing it for Him!
Was John the Baptist blessed of God?
However, for believers, blessings that come from God extend beyond our status with others or what we often consider “the good life.” Consider, for example, John the Baptist a prophet of God who preached God’s Word to audiences who often rejected it. In fact, John was murdered because, through his preaching, he clearly exposed the sin of (marital) adultery between King Herod and Herodias. (See Matthew, Chapter 14, and Mark, Chapter 6.)
John the Baptist was highly esteemed by God; yet, he was a man of few possessions and existed
with a “modest” clothing budget. Some might feel that he was not blessed of God! John’s focus was not on worldly possessions but on preaching Truth and preparing people’s hearts for Jesus. And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins …Matthew 3:4 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me…Malachi 3:1
Jesus referred to John’s attire when He was chastising people for their heart motive in searching out this great preacher: But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. Matthew 11:8 Furthermore, Jesus said of John’s character: Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist … Matthew 11:11
What might we glean from this? It can give us a window into Who it is or what determines an overlooked category of blessings that COME FROM GOD. This may be in sharp contrast to blessings we enjoy which may seem to come completely from our own efforts. However, even our developed efforts, skills, and talents are also often unrecognized as blessings the LORD has allowed us to have as we work and diligently apply ourselves to what hopefully are righteous endeavors. Regardless, Scripture also reminds us that God sends blessings upon the just and the unjust … for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:45
Are you blessed for obedience?
The discussion above is an introduction to the focus of this Thanksgiving message. It’s pointing to a category of blessings that come from God that I have not connected with my giving of thanks. For further insight, turn to the book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 28. This rather lengthy chapter is divided into two contrasting approaches to God’s blessings; the first, the giving and receiving of blessings; the second, the withholding or rejection of blessings resulting in curses.
The conditional preposition if is used six times in the 28th Chapter of Deuteronomy. This seemingly insignificant word should trigger the fact that there are specific conditions to follow. A form of bless (blessed, blessing) is used ten times in the first ten verses then abruptly stopped and not used again in the remaining 56 verses. Why? The answer is stated in verse 15: BUT it shall come to pass, IF … The conditional if in verse 15 introduces many examples of behaviors that cut off blessings and bring curses.
Obedience is required.
Study the clearly stated contextual contrast among verses one through 14 and those from verses 15 through 68. Determine where (or if) you do or do not fit into God’s plan of blessing. The key to God’s blessings is clearly stated within this chapter. It’s obedience to the Word of God.
And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. Deuteronomy 28:1-2
The contrast to the blessings begins in verse 15 with the word BUT and continues … it shall come to pass IF thou will not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God …
Beware of tempting God’s patience.
Perhaps you have not followed (hearkened unto) the “voice of the LORD,” but He has continued to allow blessings to come your way. If that is true, be especially thankful for His mercy is given to both the just and the unjust, something we often find difficult to understand and may not recognize. Yet, in contrast to God’s patience in waiting for us to repent from sin, He also has an undisclosed time limit: And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man … Genesis 6:3 We must beware of “tempting” God’s patience.
So this Thanksgiving, in addition to giving thanks for family and friends, and the many material possessions I enjoy, I also give thanks that the LORD has given me time to better understand how I can reach an even higher level of blessings by becoming more aware of the importance of studying and obeying every word of God. After all …
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. [Therefore, I must never] Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. Proverbs 30:5-6 [This is because] The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Psalm 12:6
[Thus, I must be continually] Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience … 2 Corinthians 10:5-6
Additionally I must put in proper perspective that even though offerings and sacrifices are a part of a believer’s life, the more important initial focus must be on obedience to His Word: … Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry …
1 Samuel 15:22-23
Happy Thanksgiving,
and be blessed
from the LORD.
If you have questions or would like prayer, please contact us. We are blessed when we hear from you.
In Christ’s Service,
Judith Brumbaugh
Founder/President
Restoration Of The Family, Inc.
PO Box 621342 Oviedo, FL 32762-1342
www.RestorationOfTheFamily.org
