But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them. Exodus 1:7, ESV

 

Blessing, like grace, is something associated with wholehearted giving and receiving that results in shared joy, abundance, and favour. Learnt from God’s example, we bless one another through generosity of spirit, which is sometimes able to turn even a bad situation around. How much more, then, are people’s lives impacted when the blessing comes directly from God? The question is are we always aware of him and open to his blessing?

 

A person may experience God’s blessing inwardly, alone with him in their quiet time or with many others in worship, one in heart and mind; or they may receive honour or recognition unexpectedly that enriches them spiritually, physically or materially and brings hope and growing faith. Solomon writes, “The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it” (Proverbs 10:22), highlighting God’s gracious way to true riches and happiness, which we usually only achieve ourselves through hard work.

 

Evidence of God's amazing greatness in the formation of the tiniest things in nature – and the immense, like mountains, cloud formations, and vast deserts – blesses us and makes us stand in awe of our God. Lavish in his creation of the world, intricate in perfectly fitting each particle together, holding nothing back, His way is fruitfulness and his blessing abundant in quality and quantity.

 

Though in a foreign land, are we surprised that the Israelites, God’s chosen people, were fruitful and thriving through his blessing? He was the source of their wellbeing and he made them robust even when their fortunes later turned, and they suffered under a new Pharaoh in Egypt, who “did not know Joseph”. (Exodus 1:8)

 

He is no different today.

 

When we find ourselves “in a foreign land,” literally or figuratively, he is still our God and we “the sheep of his pasture”. (Psalm 100:3) He brings joy and affirmation to all his people wherever they are – in hard times, when anxious and feeling demoralised or crushed, or in good times, when all is well. Either way, we are blessed to be a blessing, and when we pause to count our blessings, we discover just how gracious God is to us as well, and we thrive.

 

His greatest blessing of all, though, came in the form of Jesus Christ, his Son, who died that all people might know forgiveness of sin and live eternally. Joined to him, the True Vine, all God’s people flourish as he gives everything good to bear much fruit, even “making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland”. (Isaiah 43:19, NIV).

 

Prayer: Gracious Father, please give me grace, wisdom and love and an increasing measure of your Spirit to be part of the joy your beautiful blessings give to this world, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen