Good morning:
The prophet Jeremiah wrote, “Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him” (17:7). Was he right? Are believers really blessed? We don’t always feel blessed. It’s easy to see certain circumstances as blessings: good health, loving family and friends, meaningful work. But when life is hard and painful, those troubles seem more like burdens than blessings. How could sickness, disappointment, and persecution for one’s faith be a good thing? It can look as though believers are targeted by God for worse treatment than the world. People at the time of the prophet Malachi were saying, “It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements” (Mal. 3:13). Have you ever felt like that?
But things are not always as they seem. Because we are sinners living in a sinful world, trials are inevitable. Still, we are blessed for we know those trials are not a sign of God’s anger toward us. They can’t be. Jesus suffered for our sins to bring us to God. By faith in Christ, we are accounted as holy before God. By the Spirit’s work, we are precious children of God. We can be sure that the heavenly Father is going to use our troubles as a blessing, even when we don’t understand how. “We glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character hope” (Rom. 5:3-4).
The greatest blessing is yet to come. On the last day there will be no doubt. The blessedness of believers will be obvious to everyone. All who believe in Jesus will be welcomed into the joy of eternal life in heaven, while all who rejected him will be cast into the torments of hell for eternity. “Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18).
Even when it doesn’t feel like it, even when there are more troubles than victories, you are truly blessed. For no matter what, you have a living Savior who will never leave or forsake you. He promises, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (Jn. 8:12). Have a blessed day in Christ!
In Him,
Pastor
Our Sunday service begins at 9 a.m. Sunday school and Bible class will follow. The adult Bible class will discuss what, if anything, the Bible has to say about the Israeli/Hamas conflict. Everyone is welcome.
