The first thing God did after creating was to bless what He created! Genesis 1:21-22 reveals an interesting pattern: God created…God saw that it was good...God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase…”
This was even regarding the animals and other living creatures God created. After creating mankind God repeated the pattern, but added a greater capacity to live in authority in the earth and truly be blessed: “Be fruitful and increase… Have dominion over…”
God created mankind in His image with a like capacity to create, multiply and rule. In blessing mankind, He endowed mankind with the necessary grace gifts—capacities and abilities—plus invoked His favor to prosper.
RELEVANCE
God purposed in the beginning for us to live in His blessings. In Numbers 6:24-26 He showed the priests the way to invoke His blessings. “This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:
“The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”‘
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.”
God blesses His people by invoking His presence and power and manifesting His goodness and favor, which brings His shalom—fullness of peace, wellness and prosperity.
He did add one caveat to sustain His blessings. Even before ever issuing the Law of Moses, God revealed a key requirement to living and walking in blessings: obeying His voice. This was what God required of and found in Abraham. It is still what God requires.
It’s all about relationship; a relationship with God based on trusting faith. Such kind of faith issues in hearing, agreeing and acting upon God’s word. It’s as basic as that!
REFLECT AND RELATE
How do you hear God’s voice? How can you recognize God’s voice? How can you be sure you have heard God’s voice? What blockages do you think keep us from hearing God’s voice? Read Deuteronomy 30, John 10:1-30 and the additional references slowly and meditate upon it. Ask God to speak to you in a way you will know it.
REFERENCES
Deuteronomy 30:6-20; John 10:1-30; John 14:1-16:23