BLESSING

The BLESSING of the LORD makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it – Proverbs 10:22

There is “the Blessing” and there are blessings. The ‘secret’ to enjoying ceaseless flow of blessings in life is to have ‘the Blessing’. Here, by ‘blessings’ we mean the visible and tangible gifts and temporal benefits we receive, possess, and enjoy in life, such as: a good spouse, children, sound health, good education, fulfilling employment, success, promotion, peace of mind, profit, wealth, money, houses, clothes and cars. However, ‘the Blessing’ may not be visible or tangible; yet that is what attracts the blessings. According to Proverbs 10:22 what God gives is ‘the Blessing,’ which in turn “makes one rich” – that is, it draws the blessings. The Blessing is a spirit – a pronounced Word that has life in it. The Lord Jesus said: “the words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (Jh.6:63). The Genesis record of creation says “Then God blessed them, and God said to them…” (Gen.1:28a). So, the strategy is for the Blessing to flow from God’s Heart and Mouth to the “Blessed”!

The Blessing follows the Blessed and attracts blessings to him or her at divinely ordained times and seasons, and divinely-designated places. Although God can bless anyone, anyhow, at any time, and in any place, he often releases the Blessing at unique times, seasons, and places. Example of a unique time: “You will arise and have mercy on Zion; for the time to favour her, Yes, the set time, has come” (Psa.102:13). God designated Cherith as the place of blessing for Elijah: “…I have commanded the ravens to fee you THERE” (1Kgs.17:4a). Shortly after, Zarephath was the next place of blessing: “…I have commanded a widow THERE to provide for you” (1Kgs.17:9b). Going to any other place but “there” might have spelled famine and death for Elijah. It is usual for the Blessing to be accompanied with clear covenant instructions.

Another implication of Proverbs 10:22 is that: not all possessions are blessings. If the blessing of the Lord enriches, by inference, whatever proceeds from the devil ensnares and entraps: “the prosperity of fools shall destroy them” (Pro.1:32b). True blessings refer to those achievements and possessions that add no tears or pains. Some individuals scheme their ways to the top and end up with what seem like blessings, but are not. There are people who make covenants with the devil, demons, sorcerers, witches and other dark spiritual powers, all in a bid to achieve the semblance of a breakthrough. Some supposedly wealthy and “stinkingly-rich” people are merely breeding “maggots of materialism”! Such people are far from the Blessing. They are rich, but not blessed. The authentic and true blessings come to those who have received the Blessing from “above…from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (Jam.1:17b).

Abraham received the Blessing, and he obtained a great name, and became a great nation and a blessing to nations (Gen.12:2-3). He became “very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold” (Gen.13:2). Isaac was so blessed, that even in famine, “the man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous” and became the envy of the Philistines (Gen. 26:1-15). Isaac enjoyed “ever-increasing” prosperity, the kind that silences adverse circumstances! Even Satan testified that God had blessed the works of Job’s hands and increased his material substance (Job 1:10b). When you come under the Blessing of the Lord, your life’s gardens will bud, bloom, and blossom (Isa.58:11). The grounds of your life will be nourished, your seeds will sprout, and your fruits multiply exceedingly (Zech.8:12). His Blessing will turn rocky flints of impossibility into overflowing fountains of blessings (Psa.114:8). Receive His Blessing; and attract His blessings.