MAR - BE BLESSED
“But blessed is the man who trusts me, God,
the woman who sticks with God.
They’re like trees replanted in Eden,
putting down roots near the rivers—
Never a worry through the hottest of summers,
never dropping a leaf,
Serene and calm through droughts,
bearing fresh fruit every season.Jeremiah 17:7-8 MSG
We say bless a lot.
When we sneeze, when we say goodbye to people in church.
When we want God to have favor or someone or something.
But what does the word Blessed mean? Where does it come from? When the Prophet Jeremiah says,
blessed is the man who trusts me, God,
the woman who sticks with God
We have to understand what he meant in the original Greek the bible was written and/or translated.
The ancient Greek word for "blessed" is makarios, which was originally used to describe those who lived in another world far from the problems and worries of others. Those who were "blessed" seemed to be free from earthly cares and struggles.
Makarios begins to take on a new meaning in the Old Testament where the "blessed" were those rewarded for righteous living.
In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5), however, Jesus begins to teach the gathering crowds what it really means to be "blessed." He describes the "blessed" as those who are poor.
Those who mourn.
Those who are humble and show mercy.
And those who are persecuted.
How can we be blessed when we’re mourning? How is it a blessing to be persecuted?
Jesus is reminding us, it’s not about what we have. It’s about who we depend on. Listen to what Jesus considers a blessing:
3 “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
4 “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
5 “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
6 “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.
7 “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.
8 “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
9 “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.
10 “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.
Matthew 5: 3-10 MSG
Do you consider yourself blessed?
Are you in a moment right now where God is the only hope you have?
Do you need prayer and restoration over things in your life?