A long time ago I heard a pastor speak about characteristics of a life that makes us “bless-able.” He gave five traits that he saw throughout scripture as similarities among those people God chose to bless and show favor to. The reality is, the favor of the Lord is more valuable than any talent, and passion or any experience that we can have. It opens doors and unlocks miraculous happenings in our life. As these five elements of a favored and blessed life were laid out, I realized you could simply sum them up in one word – Obedience.
As Moses finishes his final address of the law to the children of Israel in Deuteronomy, he calls them to action…
If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 28:1-2 NIV
As he lists out the incredible blessings and promises from God for their lives, the choice is theirs. He isn’t bashful about what will happen if they choose to disobey and break the covenant. They were a people chosen by God, but also agreed to live in a holy way by their own choice. God didn’t force them into it, but once their word was given he laid out clearly how much he wished to bless them, and Moses called them to stay true to their word.
The Lord has not changed. He is still looking for a people marked by obedience, and if we are really honest we are often more like the children of Israel. When things are going well, we rarely remember to thank him. When we have challenges, we often blame him or don’t call out to him in our moments of need. “Oh God” when you stub your toe doesn’t count! Much like the children of Israel, one of our chief struggles is to simply obey; to stay true to pursuing him first with our lives. We get so distracted and overwhelmed by a million things that we allow into our world. God understands that life isn’t easy or fair, but he is looking for us to come to him in the midst of the challenges and to put off distractions that hinder us. He is pleading with us to remember his promises, choosing to seek him and obey.
What are some things you struggle to obey the Word of the Lord on? When you have challenges in your life, do you blame things on God, or think he doens’t notice or care? Let’s remember the God who promises to draw near to those who draw near to him. Let’s remember the attitude and expression of Jesus’ heart as he looked out over the people.
“How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” Matthew 23:37 NIV
Above all, let’s choose daily, as Joshua called the people, to serve and obey the Lord and experience his blessing.
– Pastor Ryan