His Blessings

2 Kings 7:12
‘Then the king got up in the night and said to his servants, “I will now tell you what the Arameans have done to us. They know that we are hungry; so they have left the camp to hide themselves in the field, saying, ‘When they come out of the city, we will capture them alive and get into the city.’”’
The king was suspicious of the gift God had given them. Apparently it was enough to drag them out of their famine. There was plenty of product and food. He thought it was a trap.
God has given us so much. Romans 1:20 says, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.” We all see God in creation. It is far too wonderful to have created itself.
Hiking and getting out into nature has become popular. Many have bought tents that are on top of their trucks or gotten rv’s to make camping more comfortable. We go to Utah and the outdoors. This verse says that we see God through natures beauty.
God has also given us good health, happy hearts and the ability to make money and acquire things. This is a blessing of God. I’m sure innately we understand God gave us these things.
Today’s verse points out that we can misunderstand the wonderful gifts God has given us. Some come around and get it, others don’t.
Part of the reason some never get it is because they’ve rejected God. Verse 21 of Romans 1 says, “For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts”.
Why would someone not acknowledge God? People like being self determined and they know that going God’s way sacrifices that. They want the freedom to do what they want. They might not know what that entails, but they want the option to do what they want.
The bible warns against this. In fact, those that want this freedom make an idol of it and become enslaved. It says in John 8:34, “Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” While we all sin, those in Christ are seeking to avoid it and are cleansed when we do it. Those who don’t choose Christ become slaves. The same result of verse twenty occurs and their reason becomes darkened and they don’t see their slavery.
Those that choose God do some sacrificing, but end up with abundance. The king in today’s verse did experience the abundance that God had provided, so do believers. Malachi 3:10-12 explains it this way: ‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and put Me to the test now in this,” says the LORD of armies, “if I do not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruit of your ground; nor will the vine in the field prove fruitless to you,” says the LORD of armies. “All the nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land,” says the LORD of armies.’ When we sacrifice the small part that God asks of us, then He opens the window of heaven and pours out His blessing.
What type of sacrifice is required? Jesus said in Matthew 16:24, ‘Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.”‘ He wants us to love Him and others first.
Jesus told the parable of the guests. A party is given and the guests choose their seats. It exemplifies how we are to live. Luke 14:10 says, “when you are invited, go and sit in the last place, so that your host will come and tell you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in front of everyone at the table with you.” We aren’t to live life elevating ourselves, but to allow others to go first. We do get honored for doing so, but in time we don’t care about that.
To walk with Christ is such a blessing that we sacrifice for God and His glory. We want others to be blessed as well. He does give us honor and we are grateful for it, but that He gets honored is most significant.
I went to a coworkers retirement party 15 years ago. He was a great guy and did much for the young people he coached. It was a very nice ceremony in which many spoke of is coaching and all the lives he touched. The next 10 years I desired that. I wanted to have my exit be appreciated.
The last five years I have seen the emptiness of that desire. I still want to serve my students, but not for the credit I would receive. Casting Crowns has a song, Only Jesus, that speaks of the progression I’ve made. It begins like this, “Make it count, leave a mark, build a name for yourself, dream your dreams, chase your heart, above all else, make a name the world remembers.” That’s where I was at. It’s not wrong, but empty. Many have passed away and have been recognized for their accomplishments. It’s empty and even the greatest are remembered little.
Then the song shares the new desire, to glorify the one who is worthy. He is the author of it all. He gave His life to redeem and adopt us. He frees us from slavery and misery and blesses us. Here’s what the song concludes, “And I-I-I, I don’t want to leave a legacy, I don’t care if they remember me. Only Jesus. And I-I-I, I’ve only got one life to live, I’ll let every second point to Him. Only Jesus.”
We are free to live life free of petty things. We love Him and those we encounter. We don’t have to worry if we get “Our due”. He got us. He’s already opened up the windows of heaven and poured out a blessing. We’ve got far more than we need.
Lord, thank You for Your blessings. Thank You that You’ve called us and You’ve allowed us to respond. You’ve allowed us to deny ourselves and You’ve given us You, the family of God and so much more. Thank You.