01/08/2022
What is the season we find ourselves in? Do we recognize it? Are we in a season of gladness, and righteousness, or has disease and the selfishness of man banished our hope in the goodness of our shepherds, the provision of our land, and brought drought to the Church? Whether it is joy, hopelessness, or some season in between, God gives those who keep their faith in Him His blessings, he sends us showers of blessings to sustain us, and gives us hope in Him, through His Son Jesus.
“And I will make them and the places all around my hill a blessing, and I will send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing.”
Ezekiel 34:26 ESV
We search for hope, we talk about praising God in the storms, we read scripture to reassure ourselves that God is with us always, and that Jesus abides in us. We garner hope when Christ says “Forgive them Father for they know not what they do”, and we long to hear the final trumpet blow, but do we truly trust in God’s love, and the blessings He promises us now… regardless of the season? Do we believe He loves us, provides for us, has redeemed us, and is wanting to bless us right now?
“And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”
Isaiah 35:10 ESV
One of the most encouraging verses in the Bible for those who feel lost, downtrodden, or surrounded by death is Psalm 23:4. We find that when we are in the valleys of life, even the valley of the shadow of death, that we are not prisoners there, but are going to pass through it, and that God is not only helping us, but is walking with us… right there beside us through our fear, sorrow, pain, whatever it is that we are experiencing in our various valleys. His presence should always give us hope, and his love reassure us that He will bless us as we go… if only we will take His hand, and realize we are blessed.
“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.””
Isaiah 41:10, 13 ESV
So in the good times we find it easy to see the blessings God provides. It is a pleasant scene when Jesus is blessing us by delivering the beatitudes from the mount, and a blessing when He feeds the masses, but it is hard to find the blessing when He is weeping over the death of Lazarus, sweating tears in the Garden of Gethsemane, or being nailed to the cross, yet the blessing was always there. Even in a raging sea we find Jesus, and a blessing…
“Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.”
Psalm 107:28-30 ESV
So when our streets are filled with strife we are blessed by the voice of the faithful crying out for peace, and Good Samaritans shielding victims with their own bodies. When Pandemic is decimating the land we are blessed by the faces of children looking through windows, holding up signs of love, and offering prayers. When the sick are dying we are blessed by the comforting hands of selfless care givers, and the heartfelt prayers of many. In the death of loved ones we are blessed by the memories we have of them… of bedside prayers, and too many other blessed times to name.
Regardless of the season, whether good, or bad… filled with joy, or sorrow… soothing, or painful… whatever life brings us, we find God is there with us. When our leaders fail us, our pastors fall into sin while straying from the truth, or our loved ones desert us, Jesus remains within the hearts of those who do not lose faith, and God is with us always. We are thus blessed in the desert, and on our various roads to Emmaus. In the midst of life… all of it… every mountain and valley, God is reaching out to us, Jesus is ready to heal us and tell us to sin no more, and blessings continue. It is up to us to recognize them, and to offer our thanks for them. It is up to us, even as prodigal sons, to return home, and be blessed by God’s continued love and feast.
Prayer:
Father, we thank you for blessing us with your presence. We thank you for walking with us through this life, for holding our right hand with yours as we face every valley, mountain, plain, desert, stream, river, lake, and sea. We thank you for blessing us as the morning sun warms our face, or the night storm rips at our skin. Your blessings always begin with your presence, and nothing is more worthy of our praise than to be with you. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you out God who loves us with an unfailing love. We praise you for your Son Jesus who you sent to redeem us, and for His life that leads us by example through ours. You are merciful and never abandon us, even when we turn from you. You are full of grace and we worship you for making a way for us in the wilderness, and giving us an escape from every storm, temptation, and snare that Satan sets. When we are lost you call our name, and search for us… we praise and thank you. When we are made filthy by sin you wash us in the blood of your Son Jesus… we praise and thank you. And when we are standing in judgement you see the image of Christ in us, and find us worthy in Him… and for this we praise, and thank you. For all your love, goodness, mercy, and grace, we worship you now, and forevermore… you are our God, Father, and loving Abba, and your blessings know no end, for your presence is our first, greatest, and truly eternal blessing.
Rich Forbes