DAILY HOPE DEVOTIONALS: AUGUST 21 THE BLESSED OF THE LORD (2) SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 26: 28 – 31
Taking off from yesterday’s devotional, in the use of Hebrew word “esher” and Greek word “eneulogeo” we understood that the “Blessed of the LORD” under discussion means one with clear evidences of happiness or one with things which makes people talk well of. Another word for Blessed from Greek to look at today is “makarios” conveying meaning of fortunate, well off, happy and supremely blessed. Today’s devotional will identify more on what the “Blessed of the LORD” stands for. The blessed of the LORD is one with divine favour that shows in the fruitfulness and increase of whatever he/she does. When Adam and Eve were created, God spoke the words of favour into them. The Bible says: “God blessed them and said to them, be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it…” (Gen. 1: 28). The blessed of the LORD is one God conferred upon, riches and wealth.
God told Abraham: “Blessing I will bless you, and in multiplying, I will multiply you… (Gen. 22: 17). After this, the Bible said of Abraham: “Abraham had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold” (Gen. 13: 2). The Bible said of Abraham at another time: “Abraham was now very old, and the LORD had blessed him in every way (Gen. 14: 1 NIV). Such a person’s blessing is extended to his/her children. The Blessed of the LORD is one personally reserved for successes, breakthrough and prosperity against ugly circumstances he/she encountered. Isaac was highly persecuted and pursued about, yet he planted in the face of the enemies and reaped in hundred folds because the LORD had blessed him (Gen. 26: 12). For Joseph, the Bible says: “The LORD was with Joseph so that he prospered…that the LORD gave him success in everything he did…” (Gen. 39: 2 – 3 NIV).
God provides security and protection to those He blessed. He does this Himself or often, by making people protect those He has blessed. God protected Sarah, Abraham’s wife from the Kings of Egypt and Shechem and did same to protect Isaac wife from King Abimelech in Gerar (Gen. 12: 10 – 20; 20: 2-7; 26: 1 – 16). For Isaac, after God warned Abimelech against sleeping with Rebekah, Abimelech decreed protection on her saying: “…he who touches this man or his wife must surely be put to death (Gen. 26: 11). It will be wrong to think that people the LORD blessed hardly encounter problem. They will enter problems severally, yet the Blessings upon them will be showing forth. The beloved, take your eyes from your physical hardship. You are the Blessed of the LORD!!
PRAYER:
MY FATHER AND MY GOD, Always take my eyes away from any physical hardship I have passed through and the ones I will be passing through in life. Surely the devils will use such to cause me fall away from you. Always flash my Blessings before my eyes in Jesus name.
bishopubaudenyi@hopealivechurch
