Jesus’ popular ‘Sermon on the Mount’, commonly referred to as the beatitudes, communicates God’s description of a blessed life. The world’s ideology of a blessed life is far from what God adjudges as blessing. The world uses material acquisition alone to portray a blessing, but from Kingdom perspective, God’s blessing is far more than that. The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians spoke about God blessing us with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). This implies that the blessing of God is first, spiritual, then with physical manifestation. True and lasting blessing has to be in union with His Son, Jesus.

This implies that the blessing of God is first, spiritual, then with physical manifestation. True and lasting blessing has to be in union with His Son, Jesus.

Obedience is Key

The message on the mount which is one of Jesus’ remarkable teachings in the days He walked the earth still finds relevance to us in our day-to-day lives. This notable teaching points to the fact that the blessings of God are mainly obtained through obedience to His Word. God stated this clearly when He was to pronounce the blessings upon His people through Moses: “If you fully obey the LORD your God by keeping all the commands I am giving you today, the LORD your God will exalt you above all the nations of the world. You will experience all these blessings if you obey the LORD your God” (Deuteronomy 28:1-2, NLT). And this obedience, according to the above Scripture must be ‘full’. With God, there is neither partial nor incomplete obedience, God requires prompt and total obedience. This is indeed an undisputable key to walking in the blessings of God. What then is the blessed life?

This notable teaching points to the fact that the blessings of God are mainly obtained through obedience to His Word.

The Blessed Life: Realizing Your Need for God

God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them – Matthew 5:3, NLT

In the opening verse of His teaching on God’s blessings, Jesus began by drawing our attention to the place of humility in the Kingdom. This implies that the Kingdom of heaven is meant for those who realize their need for God. They to whom this blessing is bestowed are those who on a daily basis recognize their need for God. Just as we daily need air to survive, we must understand that with each passing day, we need God more. As long as we live, we can never have enough of God; neither can we claim satisfaction with our knowledge of Him if we must remain relevant in His Hand. 

Just as we daily need air to survive, we must understand that with each passing day, we need God more.

The reward for those whose need for God is limitless we are told is that the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them. This means that their place in heaven is guaranteed, and they are sure of reigning with Christ. As you pray today, don’t just pray to be blessed, but pray to be fully obedient to God as well. 

The Blessed Life: Comfort for Those Who Mourn

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted – Matthew 5:4, NKJV

Christ never promised us a sorrow-free life but rather, He said, “…Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b, NLT). The promise He made to us is that in our trials, we shall be comforted. He has made this comfort available through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and fellowship with fellow Believers in Christ. 

Are you in a mourning mood today? Have the trials of life robbed you of your joy and peace? Rejoice, because it is for this purpose that Christ promised to send the Comforter, who will abide with us forever (John 14:16). The comfort of the Believer begins now, and culminates in eternity when “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more, neither shall there be anguish (sorrow and mourning) nor grief nor pain anymore, for the old conditions and the former order of things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4, AMP).

In this we rejoice because we shall not be left comfortless either in time or eternity, for God has made adequate provision for our comfort. We are also encouraged because our mourning is but for a time. When Christ returns we shall be eternally comforted, sitting at His right hand and leaning in His bosom. It is noteworthy that in your trying times, the Lord is very near to offer the comfort He promised (Psalm 46:1-2). This blessing of comfort is for the righteous who mourn in adversity and life’s troubles.

To be continued…