Bible Studies

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In Australia each year people are honoured for their public service, their contribution to society or for their outstanding activities. Similarly as parents we might buy a special treat for a child whose behaviour has been exemplary, or draw attention to their good deeds in front of others. Likewise God sometimes chooses to honour his children. "How great is your goodness which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men …" Psalm 31:19

However what is our response when we see God pour out a blessing on a particular person or on a particular church? A blessing that perhaps that we would like. Are we angry like the elder brother who wouldn’t join in the festivities when his younger brother returned because he felt his brother was undeserving (Luke 15:28)?

The reality is we are all undeserving. Nevertheless God is God and he can bless whoever he chooses. Still we can become better candidates for God’s blessings.

In the Beatitudes (Matthew 5) Jesus teaches us that there are eight attitudes we can develop to be "blessed". But sometimes it is even simpler. We can become like little children who accept gifts without reservation, without thought of reciprocating and with eager anticipation. It has been said that God wants to bless us more than we want to be blessed. Receiving from God makes us feel vulnerable. We are not always good candidates for God’s blessings and sometimes we even resented it when we see others receiving.

We are told to, "rejoice with those that rejoice; mourn with those who mourn" (Romans 12:15). Surprisingly it is easier to mourn with those that mourn than to rejoice with those God has chosen to honour.

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