The word “blessing” has been so stripped of it’s meaning that most people don’t pay much attention to it anymore, but blessing and to be blessed has a definite and distinct meaning and purpose, and is one of the most important concepts in the bible.
The word blessing’s primary biblical meaning is “to say something good about.” In Hebrew blessing is the exact opposite of a curse, which means to say something bad about. The original readers of God’s Word understood this fact. They never got blessings and curses mixed up. They knew, if it’s good, it’s a Blessing and if it’s bad, it’s a curse.
The Hebrew definition for “good” gives further proof that a blessing is a purely positive thing. It includes in it’s definition: “beautiful, best, better, bountiful, joyful, kindly, loving, merry, pleasant, prosperity, sweet, wealth and to be well.”
Even better is what happens when God gets involved and speaks a blessing. Then it is defined as a declaration which empowers people to prosper.
God’s words carry creative power; take a look at what happened in Genesis 1 when God spoke and the world came into being.
When He blesses it’s more than a positive statement. It releases the power to bring the blessing to pass. That’s the reason “The Blessing” God spoke over mankind in Genesis 1:28 is so significant. It’s the first thing God did after creating the world. He commanded a blessing on Adam and Eve, and actually made a declaration which empowered man to prosper.
“Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Genesis 1:28)
Through the blessing God endowed mankind with the divine power to increase and excel in everything good. He empowered us to fill the earth with that goodness, to extend what God had created in the Garden of Eden and spread it across the universe. God could have completed the job Himself but He wanted it to be “a family project”.
Adam and Eve and all mankind were given a mandate. We were given the responsibility and the resources to fill the earth with God’s goodness.
After creation was complete, God rested – it wasn’t because He was tired. It was because He was finished. He had completed His work on the universe, poured Himself into mankind, creating us in His own image, crowned us with His creative power, and gave us authority over the earth. There was nothing left for Him to do.
Sin however came in and messed the plan up. But Jesus restored that blessing, power and authority to mankind.
From Jesus’ perspective His death and resurrection is all about us. He didn’t die for Himself. He didn’t come for Himself, that He could have abundant life. He came so we could have life abundant. (John 10:10) He came so “The Blessing” could be restored to us again, and that what was started at creation could be completed through us!
“God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world. He sent his Son to save the world through him”.
When Jesus came and dealt with the sin issue once and for all, He transferred His authority onto His disciples (His followers) after His death and resurrection. He did it by giving us the Great Commission, and then equipping us with the power of the Holy Spirit.
“Then Jesus came to them. He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. So you must go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And you can be sure that I am always with you, to the very end.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.” (Acts 1:8)
That means we have some work to do yet. There are individuals, homes, streets, cities, and nations that aren’t experiencing the Blessing of God. There are schools, universities workplaces, and hospitals, that are not living in the Blessing.
So what can we do? Firstly we can start discovering through relationship with Jesus and His Word who we are, and who He created us to be. This is no time to be distracted, lazy, or complacent. We are not insignificant, or powerless to bring change. Each one of us is created in God’s image. We have been endowed with authority and the power to spread the blessing, and God wants us to start seeing ourselves that way.
Start looking around you at who is doing good already and give them a hand.
Look for ways to bless those around you. Ask “who needs to experience blessing?”
Spend time with Jesus everyday; He will reveal to you who to talk to and what to do.
Make your prayer every morning “Lord show me where to pour out blessing today?”
We don’t have to be victims, or powerless bystanders. We can be, and are designed to be agents of change!
So let’s truly walk in who we are. Let’s learn how to engage Heaven so we know what and where to work the blessing, and then go out into our homes, streets and cities and BLESS!
Prayer: Lord I ask you to help me see who I am, and the ability I have to really make a difference wherever and in the life of whoever I am with. Please release your blessing power and goodness in me. In Jesus Name Amen.