A Blessed Life or the Life of the Blessed?

This week we are going to be looking at Psalm 103. Let me encourage you to spend some time reading through and thinking about this psalm. (Find it here). As you do, you will notice that David spends a lot of time talking about the things that God has done for us. You might want to take a piece of paper and list all of the things that David mentions. For example, God forgives, God heals, God redeems, etc. You can add to the list examples of the things that God has done in your own life.

Without a doubt, you will have quite a list. A list like that can lift your spirit, encourage you and get your eyes off of the problems that you might be facing today. Focusing on the good things you've experienced helps you look on the sunny side of life. Things aren't as bad as you were thinking they were. After all, when you look at the list, you have to admit that you are living a blessed life. (If you are struggling with that, let me encourage you to look at the post "Rich? Me? Couldn't Be!").

Most people stop there. After considering their good luck, they smile and think, "I am so fortunate to have experienced all of these blessings."

But let's go a step further than that by recognizing that the every one of the blessings we experience flow from throne of God. His love for us overflows into the blessings we experience. Some blessings are physical like a gorgeous day. Other blessings are relational like friends and family. Still other blessings are internal like endurance, patience and peace. Each of these blessings flows from God into our lives because he loves and cares for us.

Read that last sentence again and ponder the fact that the King of the Universe has stretched out his hand and chosen to bless you because he loves and cares for you. You are not simply living a blessed life...you are living the life of the Blessed. The King looks at you and calls you "My Blessed One."

You see, the blessings we experience are best experienced in the depths of a relationship with the King. Let me encourage you to ask him to open your eyes to the blessings he is pouring out all around you. And as you begin to see them praise Him for who he is, thank him for his love for you and express your love back to him.