Do you ever feel like the phrase “bless you” rolls off the tongue automatically? Someone sneezes near us, and we instinctively respond, “Bless you.”
We see a cute child or puppy and say, “Awww….bless..”
But stop for a moment — do we actually know what blessing means?
Is it a fuzzy feeling, a good fortune, a divine favour? Or something that tugs a little deeper at the fabric of our being?
Let’s dig into the depths of what it truly means to bless — and be blessed.
Exploring the Heart of Blessing
The Bible’s concept of “blessing” is more than just well-wishing; it’s a powerful and ancient word filled with promise and purpose. In Hebrew, “barak” is the word most often used to mean “to bless” — and it goes beyond just kindness.
It’s a call to fruitfulness and fullness, as we see from the first chapters of Genesis, where God blesses His creation and urges them to flourish. When He speaks blessings over Adam and Eve, He isn’t just giving them a pat on the back; He’s empowering them to thrive and rule in the world He made. God’s blessings bring life, abundance, and wholeness woven into the blueprint of creation.
Fast-forward to God’s promise to Abram in Genesis 12. Through Abram, all families of the earth will be blessed. Imagine that! Not only does God bless Abram, but He creates a ripple effect of blessing that spans generations.
It’s a reminder that God’s blessings carry a weight and purpose, a legacy that transcends the individual.
But blessings aren’t only spoken by God; they’re part of human interactions as well. Rebekah’s family, for instance, sends her off to marry Isaac with words of blessing: “May you increase to thousands upon thousands; may your offspring possess the gates of their enemies.”
These blessings are not just well wishes — they are spoken hopes that carry an expectation of fulfilment woven into the lives of those receiving them.
Joy, Strength, and Discipline — More Than a Feeling
Another layer of blessing is the word “esher,” which can also mean happiness or contentment. This is evident in passages like Job 5:17: “Blessed is the man whom God corrects; do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.”
This shows us that God’s blessings sometimes come through the refining fires of difficulty, not just through easy or pleasant circumstances. True blessings may even emerge from seasons of loss, hardship, and growth.
The psalms are brimming with examples of these blessings for those who delight in and meditate on God’s word. In Psalm 1, the one who stays away from wickedness and delights in God’s ways is blessed, stable, and rooted — a picture of someone flourishing not by mere luck but by a life lived close to God.
In the New Testament, we find more depth in the word “Makarios,” a Greek word used in the Beatitudes to describe the “blessed” state of those who find peace and fulfilment in God’s purposes. It speaks to a happiness that’s not only spiritual but also deep, whole, and eternal.
These blessings are relational, intertwined with living in alignment with God’s will.
God’s Ongoing Blessing, Even Amid Trial
From the beginning, God designed blessings to be a part of our lives, and He hasn’t withdrawn them, even though sin has twisted the world.
Despite the struggle “by the sweat of our brow,” God’s provisions remain.
While His blessings might look different than we expect—sometimes they’re quiet, hidden in hardships, or unseen during struggles—God’s promises endure, transforming dark valleys into places where His presence is powerfully near.
Our greatest blessing transcends this temporary life: through faith in Jesus Christ, we receive a lasting blessing of forgiveness and new life. This blessing is unshakeable, rooted in eternity, and not subject to the ups and downs of our worldly lives.
A Call to Live Blessed — and to Be a Blessing
So, what does this mean for us today? Blessing isn’t just about receiving; it’s about passing it on.
His blessings are meant to overflow from God’s original creation to Christ’s ultimate sacrifice. God desires us to live fully in His blessing — to stockpile for ourselves and generously share.
True blessing prompts us to walk humbly, live gratefully, and offer the love and hope we’ve received to others. Because, in the end, being blessed means being transformed — and transforming the world around us.
Lord of all blessings,
we come before You with humble hearts,
grateful for the goodness You pour into our lives.
Teach us to see Your hand in every blessing;
whether in joy, in challenge,
or quiet moments of grace.
Grant us wisdom to walk in Your ways
and strength to trust You fully
.May Your love transform us so that we, too,
may bring blessings to others.
Let our lives reflect Your kindness and generosity,
bearing fruit for Your glory.
Amen.
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