BLESSINGS AND BATTLES

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials” – James 1:2

Do BLESSINGS infer the absence of BATTLES? Does God bless only the righteous? The answers depend on the understanding of what Blessings really are. To some people, what constitute blessings are essentially temporal gifts and rewards such as obtaining a diploma, receiving promotion at work, buying the home of their dreams, enjoying comfort, freedom, and luxuries. They associate being blessed with only positive circumstances, affluence, wealth, and the absence of challenges. The inference is that such people do not “feel” blessed in circumstances that are marked by the absence of such material paraphernalia of “blessings.” Are we no longer considered blessed when conditions are adverse? The Bible certainly doesn’t support such a superficial view and shallow stance of what it means to be blessed. Challenges and trials are part of the reality of a fallen world, but believers are assured of triumph in every trial, conquest through life’s challenges, and victory in every battle.

The presence of battles is not the absence of blessings! We have not been promised isolation from the trials of this world, but we are assured of peace in every problem, and grace to be “cheerful” and joyful through the fires of trials. What a blessed life such is! The Lord Jesus Christ assured us: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have PEACE. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good CHEER, I have overcome the world” (Jh.16:33). James explicitly commands: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (Jam.1:2-5). Peter similar thoughts: “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1Pet.1:6-7).

To be blessed does include, but cannot be limited to having a good fortune, a desired outcome, comfort, success, refreshing friendships, and other such unmerited blessings from the Lord. Indeed, certain “natural and temporal blessings” do not require righteousness as a prerequisite. The Lord Jesus Christ died to secure for humanity, covenant blessings that are of more value that mere silver and gold or meat and drink: “for the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom.14:17). The greatest of God’s blessings are not ephemeral earthly, material, and temporal “things”: “For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Mt.6:32-33).

Yes, unbelievers receive blessings as well, but not in the same way. They are blessed through God’s common grace that extends to all people: God “makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Mt.5:45).However, because this grace has an expiration date on Judgment Day, the blessed circumstances of their lives are short-term gifts of God’s grace, rather than the life-giving, eternal blessings that are poured out on believers. Sadly, the luxury of these temporary blessings often end up blinding and deceiving many from their true state of wretchedness and their need for the Savior. We should therefore receive with thanksgiving the undeserved blessings that God pours out on all people through His grace. We are to come to Him more with hearts of thanksgiving than a sense of entitlement, knowing that the highest form of blessing is our Salvation in Christ!

In the course of living the Blessed Life therefore, God sometimes matures us and perfects the Christ-like character in us through the furnace of trials! Blessings do not debar battles. Challenges make champions. The blessing of the crown is premised on the cross. The blessings of the resurrection, ascension, and glorification were routed through Calvary!