11/15/2022
Do we pray blessings upon God during our prayers, and bless Him by our actions as we live out our lives? Perhaps this perplexes us because we don’t know how it could be possible for us to give anything, much less a blessing, to Almighty God the creator and possessor of all things? So what are we to do, or what do we have that we should find valuable enough to consider a blessing for God?
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,”
2 Corinthians 1:3 ESV
To answer this question, let’s read the proceeding verse because it teaches us that imitating Jesus, and our Heavenly Father brings with it a blessing for ourselves, those around us, and YES… it also blesses God Himself.
“who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
2 Corinthians 1:4 ESV
Comfort… by this I mean both receiving it, and sharing it, is only made possible by loving, and this one act is more than a commandment, it is a way that we can bless God… by comforting others as He comforts us, or put another way, by loving others the way He loves us.
“My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.”
Proverbs 23:26 ESV
Several years ago my mother in law was lying in a comatose state in her hospital bed. She was unresponsive, and was in the process of dying. I loved this woman very much and although I knew she would soon be with the Lord, I was heartbroken by the thought of losing her. So, one evening when we were alone in the room, together, and everything was quiet, I stepped up to her bedside, gently stroked her face with my hands, pushed her hair back in place, and prayed silently for her. I asked God to be merciful, spoke to Him about her kind and loving heart, and then asked that He bless her by received her gently, and lovingly, into His eternal presence. After several minutes my spirit became still, and I simply took her hand in mine. In that moment, as she lay there not moving, and speaking in a nearly imperceptible whisper, she lovingly said “Thank you.”
How did she hear my unspoken prayer? How was she able to receive the comfort I was asking for in those minutes when I stood in intercession for her before Abba, our Father? There is only one explanation… the power of love that transcends all things.
“and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Ephesians 3:19-21 ESV
So who are we comforting today through the steadfast love within us, the love that we have received from God? Who is it that we comfort just as God comforts us? Who do we love even as we are loved by our Heavenly Father, and do we not realize that as we do this it blesses the Lord?
“I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant.”
Psalm 119:75-76 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for lovingly comforting us, and for allowing us to bless you when we comfort others as you have shown us. Give us gentle, meek, and loving hearts that are able to comfort the afflictions of those who suffer around us, and in so doing glorify you, and bless you. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who loves, and is able to be loved. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who comforts us, and leads us to comfort others. Praised be your name for every broken heart we mend with the power of your love, and for the blessings we provide you as we love according to your example. Merciful are you who sent your Son Jesus to redeem us, and to be our blessing, our blessed Lord, forever. Wash away our sins with His blood, and comfort us as death is overcome, and we partake of His flesh in remembrance. Transform us Father into the image of Christ, and see Him alone in the moment of our judgement. Call us worthy, and feel the love we have for you in that moment. Receive us into eternity with you, and allow us to bless you there forevermore.
Rich Forbes