“It is like (anointing) oil running down . . there the Lord bestows His blessing.” Psalm 133:2 NIV
“The place of blessing is relational, not geographical.”
My thoughts today are about “the place for blessing.”
Who doesn’t want blessings – the good will and regard of others (See Romans 1:12 NLT), and especially the generous grace of God? An important thing to understand about blessing is this: it doesn’t just happen randomly. It is usually purposeful and can be predictable, as God promises. God delights in any person who will put themselves in the place of blessing. Let me quickly add that “the place for blessing” is relational, not geographical. Blessing “flows down” from the Giver of all blessings. Close to God is where the greatest of blessings are found in abundance. “We have all benefited from the rich blessings He brought to us – one gracious blessing after another.” John 1:16 NLT.
I find it interesting that the final act of Jesus before His return to Heaven is described in these words, “Then Jesus led (His disciples) to Bethany, and lifting His hands to Heaven, He blessed them. While He was blessing them, He left them and was taken up to Heaven.” Luke 24:50-51 NLT. How characteristic of the heart of God that giving His blessing was the final, earthly expression of Jesus to His disciples. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3 NIV.
Today’s verse uses the picture of Aaron’s anointing as Israel’s first High Priest to model the blessing that God desires to pour out upon your life. If you want to be the kind of person that God can bless, you will want to be doing the kinds of things that God blesses; that involves living in the center of God’s will (Romans 12:1-2 NLT), and walking everyday in obedience to God and His Word. You can choose blessing! (Read 1 Peter 3:9-10 NIV/Ephesians 6:3 NLT/Deuteronomy 11:26-27 NIV)
Obedience brings God’s blessing in any area of spiritual life, especially in the area of generosity and giving. “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse . . test Me in this,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of Heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” Malachi 3:10-11 NIV. Now that sounds like the size of blessing I want to enjoy; how about you?
Notice this about the anointing and blessing; it flows down in abundance. It isn’t forced; it isn’t demanded; it isn’t earned; it is bestowed and flows from above. God will not bless what He does not anoint. Give God a life that depends upon His anointing and desires His blessing; that’s the place of blessing. Make sure that’s where God and others find you – everyday! Psalm 133:1-3 NIV.
My prayer for you today is: be unwilling to live without God’s favor and highest blessing.