Devotions

God was going to make a man who would change his nation. Where did this man come from? He came from one of the most heartbroken women and from a very, very dysfunctional family. Let’s look at how his story began. 

“On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb. And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb”(1 Samuel 1:4-6, ESV). This is a terrible, fractured situation. 

Hannah didn’t give up on God or quit going to worship, though. She never said, “What’s the sense in worshipping? Look at me! I have no children. I have a terrible rival who mocks me for having no children in the middle of the worship services. What’s worse, she’s my husband’s other wife. I wish she’d just drop dead.”

Hannah got vexed and heartbroken, but she kept her eyes on the Lord, and God said, “That’s the woman I want to be the mother of my future prophet.” 

When she had her son, Samuel, she dedicated him to God. She returned to that temple and told the priest, “Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord. For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord” (1 Samuel 1:26-28). 

Maybe that son or daughter or person you’re praying for is a complete mess. You’ve wept through the night over them. Right there is where God wants to show his power and do extraordinary things. Charles Spurgeon used to give an illustration in his sermons about a jeweler; when the jeweler brings out his best diamonds, he puts them on black velvet so the darkness will show the gem’s luster. That’s how God is. 

Out of the worst situations, God does his best work. 

^{Jim Cymbala began the Brooklyn Tabernacle with less than twenty members in a small, rundown building in a difficult part of the city. A native of Brooklyn, he is a longtime friend of both David and Gary Wilkerson.}

The Bible tells us that when Christ ascended to heaven, he became the High Priest of all who come to him by faith. “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44, NKJV).

Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. As long as you live, he will be your High Priest in heaven, interceding on your behalf, and will remain so until you go home to be with him. He is seated at the right hand of the Father, in the seat of authority. “We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens” (Hebrews 8:1).

Jesus is in the Father’s presence right now, interceding for us. He confronts our accuser and says, “I rebuke you, Satan. This one is mine because he is sprinkled in my blood. He is secure, and his debt is fully paid!” Yet I believe there is even more for us to learn.

It was the duty and privilege of the Old Testament high priest to come forth from the Holy of Holies and bless the people. The Lord instructed Moses, “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: ‘The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.’” (Numbers 6:23-26). After the high priest takes the blood into the Holy of Holies, sprinkles it on the mercy seat and waves the incense, he is to come out to the people and bless them.

This is the unchanging ministry of our High Priest. Jesus says, “I will cover you with my blood. I will intercede for you before the Father, and I will come forth and bless you.”

When the Old Testament priest spoke this blessing to the people he did not say, “I wish you peace. I wish the Lord to shine his face upon you.” No, the blessing was backed by the full power of God (see Numbers 6:27). Likewise, when Jesus our High Priest blesses, he does not just wish us good. He pronounces his blessing with authority, and it is done!

God said to Abraham that in “blessing I will bless you… all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice” (Genesis 22:17-18, NKJV). He was saying, “The reason I am blessing you, Abraham, is so that you can bless all the nations.”

Obviously, very few of us are called to bless entire nations, but each of us has a circle of family, friends and colleagues. How many in your circle are being blessed by what the Lord is doing in you? Are your friends and family being blessed by Christ in you?

When you start blessing others in the midst of your trials, you will know that God’s hand of blessing is on you. This is what happened with David. When his enemies showed him no mercy, he testified, “Let them curse, but you bless; when they arise, let them be ashamed, but let your servant rejoice” (Psalm 109:28).David cried out to God for help and blessing as his enemies cursed him.

Jesus commands us, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). If you can keep this word, you are surely blessed of the Lord.

Finally, those who are being blessed are being drawn ever closer to the Lord. God never blesses without drawing that person closer to himself, urging, “Come closer to me.” Increasing our nearness to him is more of the blessing.

Perhaps you still say, “I see no evidence of God’s blessing in my life. My life isn’t marked by any of these things you’ve mentioned. How can I have God’s blessing?”

Beloved, rejoice! Do you love his Word? Do you love coming to his house with other believers? Does your mind run to Jesus throughout the day? Do you talk to him? If you can answer “yes” to any of these questions, you can rest assured that he is drawing you, blessing you.

“So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.” (Galatians 3:9, NKJV). What is this blessing of Abraham?

James tells us, “And the scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ And he was called the friend of God” (James 2:23). Abraham believed that he was in right standing with God, even though he was still being sanctified.

Beloved, the blessing of Abraham is the knowledge that we are justified by faith. “That the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Galatians 3:14).

This blessing spoken of is the knowledge that Jesus paid with his blood to blot out all our sins. The Father credits Jesus’s own righteousness to us, and we are made right in his eyes. We do not have to try to work to earn God’s favor. Instead, we are to trust and believe in the finished work of Jesus on the cross. Even though we still struggle, we have right standing with him as we continue in faith and repentance.

David understood this and was able to enjoy the blessing of Abraham. “Just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: ‘Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin’’” (Romans 4:6-8).

As we are blessed by God with the blessing of Abraham, our faith begins to expand. Soon we see and believe that the same Christ who justifies us gives us power to overcome sin. God says to us, “We are going to work on your holiness and sanctification, but you must understand that in the meantime, you are secure in me. You are my child, and I will keep you from falling.”

Has the blessing of Abraham fallen upon you yet? If you fully accept Christ’s righteousness by faith, then you are blessed along with faithful Abraham and David. Indeed, you are one of the most blessed people on earth.

I am a father of four, all of whom are married and have children of their own. Whenever my children face any kind of difficulty, I do not get angry at them. On the contrary, I am delighted when they call on me. Whether I can help them by providing prayer, counseling or financial blessings, I take great pleasure in reaching out to them and blessing them.

How much more does our Lord Jesus delight in blessing his children in their time of need? He tells us, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11, NKJV).

You may look around the body of Christ and see other Christians who seem more talented and blessed. Some can memorize and quote entire passages of scripture. Others can preach, teach or sing to God’s glory. You say to yourself, “How blessed they are by God. Poor me! I am not smart enough to memorize God’s Word. I can’t even remember a sermon. I don’t have the gifts my brothers and sisters have to serve God.”

Beloved, you do not know how blessed you are. Are you poor in spirit? Is it difficult for you even to smile? Do you lament over seeing no spiritual growth in your life? Do you grieve because you feel inadequate, left out, unneeded?

Jesus says, “You are blessed. You have nothing to be proud about and in that way, you serve me best because my strength rests in your weakness! I can use you more readily than all others.” Jesus said to the apostle Paul, “And he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness’” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

What a blessing! Jesus never said, “Blessed are the strong, the happy, the self-sufficient, the forceful.” No! Our Lord blessed the weak, the reviled, the persecuted, the downcast, those who are considered nothing in the eyes of others. He is saying to you, “You know you have great need of me, and therefore you are blessed!”