Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him (NKJV). Blessed are all those who take refuge in Him (NIV). Psalm 2:12b
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His heritage (Psalm 33:12 ESV).
Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies (NKJV). Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn aside to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! (ESV). Psalm 40:4
The promise of blessing not only runs throughout scripture – the first promise of blessing to man is in Genesis 1:28 and the last promise of blessing is in Revelation 22:14 – but it is also a prominent theme in Psalms. The opposite of blessing is a curse. That reality is also a consistent theme of scripture. The curse began after Adam and Eve chose to listen to Satan instead of obeying God (Genesis 3). The promise of God is that in His timing, that curse will be removed (Revelation 22:3). Those who trust God can experience blessing now – even in the midst of a nation broken in two; a nation that has turned from God and is beginning to reap the consequences.
I am writing this post in the middle of January 2021. For many months, our nation has been in turmoil and strife – a pandemic that has yet to be controlled, businesses destroyed both by lockdown and by riots, unsafe cities, closed schools, a rise in mental disease and addictions, a deep division in our culture and our belief system, and an attempt to erase our Christian foundation. What three verses in the Bible could be more appropriate for us at this time?
Satan is behind every act of discord and tries in times like these to ruin the faith and witness of God’s children. He knows he cannot take away their salvation, but if he can remove the blessing of prosperity (being fruitful and productive for God), others may be influenced in a way that will prevent their trust in God for eternal life. Those who are true believers know that an eternal perspective makes all the difference.
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers (Galatians 6:7-10 NIV).
Trust (take refuge) in God, don’t give in to despair, do good as He directs you and you will be blessed – now and for eternity.
One Focus Ministries 