Spiritual Blessings

Avoid focusing on physical blessings. Wanting physical blessings is ok as God does enlarge territories for His glory. However, physical blessings are not always an indication of someone accepting Christ Jesus. Our Lord God is kind to the unthankful and evil (Luke 6:35 KJV), making his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sending rain on the just and unjust (Matthew 5:45 KJV). Since God blesses sinners, what shows that someone has accepted Christ Jesus and strives to do right by God? In truth, only God knows as He can see the hearts of man. As Christians, we are incapable of measuring another’s walk with God. We are employed to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12 KJV), it is a work that never ends. Fortunately, one way to assess where we individually stand is to take inventory of the spiritual blessings present within us. Spiritual blessings primarily distinguish Christians, believers, from the world. In Exodus chapters 7-11 God spoke, through Moses, of showing a distinction between the Israelites and the Egyptians during the plagues. God showed His people favor and guardianship provision by keeping the Israelites and their possessions safe. The Israelites had God’s overarching guidance, provision, and protection. Aside from this, God gifted Moses with spiritual blessings like discernment and peace to help him follow God’s will and lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Amid ups and downs, spiritual blessings remind us of God’s presence and keep us in sync with Him.

Some of the Spiritual Blessings Christians may Acquire from God:

The various meanings of the word “Blessed” in Matthew chapter 5 verses 3 to 11 (AMP version) shows some of the spiritual blessings given by God. The text in brackets that come after “Blessed” will be treated as supplementary information that further describes what “Blessed” means in each verse. 

3. “Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].”

Bracketed text after “Blessed” in verse 3 shows God can bless us with spiritual prosperity, happiness, and a healthy admiration from others.

4. “Blessed [forgiven, refreshed by God’s grace] are those who mourn [over their sins and repent], for they will be comforted [when the burden of sin is lifted].”

Bracketed text after “Blessed” in verse 4 shows God can bless us with forgiveness and refreshing grace.

5. “Blessed [inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, worthy of respect] are the gentle [the kind-hearted, the sweet-spirited, the self-controlled], for they will inherit the earth.”

Bracketed text after “Blessed” in verse 5 shows God can bless us with inner peace and stability, along with spiritual security, making us respectable.

6. “Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be [completely] satisfied.”

Bracketed text after “Blessed” in verse 6 shows God can bless us with joy and nourishment from His goodness.

7. “Blessed [content, sheltered by God’s promises] are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.”

Bracketed text after “Blessed” in verse 7 shows God can bless us with true satisfaction and refuge and rest through His promises

8. “Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God.”

Bracketed text after “Blessed” in verse 8 shows God can bless us with an inner spiritual gas meter that signals when we need to refuel in the presence of God. Also blessing us with a trusting expectation of God showing up, an ability to discern His presence, and spiritual maturity. 

9. “Blessed [spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor] are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they will [express His character and] be called the sons of God.”

Bracketed text after “Blessed” in verse 9 shows God can bless us with unwavering spiritual tranquility and joy for life that stems from the reality of us being the apple of God’s eye. 

10. “Blessed [comforted by inner peace and God’s love] are those who are persecuted for [doing that which is morally right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].”

Bracketed text after “Blessed” in verse 10 shows God can bless us with long-standing comfort from His love and inner peace His hand churns within us.

11. “Blessed [morally courageous and spiritually alive with life-joy in God’s goodness] are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil things against you because of [your association with] Me.”

Bracketed text after “Blessed” in verse 11 shows that through His goodness God can bless us with the courage to do what is right and make us spiritually alive with joy.

How to Obtain Spiritual Blessings?

Are spiritual blessings earned or given freely by God? God is not moved by the work of our hands, or efforts to be righteous. He is moved by our sincerity for Him and for doing right by Him. With a sincere heart, Solomon asked God for wisdom and knowledge to lead God’s people (2 Chronicles 1:10 NIV & 1 King 3:9 NIV). Solomon wanting to uphold his responsibilities as king was a good thing he wanted sincerely.  Hence God gave Solomon the spiritual blessing of wisdom and discernment. God added the physical blessing of wealth out of trust. Solomon was a sincere servant that desired to lead God’s people in a way that pleased God. Healthy respect—fear—and love for God inspired Solomon’s sincerity for God and things concerning Him. It is the positives associated with being sincerely devoted to God that makes the verse “All things work together for good to them that love God” so popular (Romans 8:28 KJV). In loving God, we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in doing what is upright. With the Holy Spirit’s help, our love for God will make us strive to be poor in spirit, mourning(repentant), meek, righteousness seeking, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and unwavering in persecution and false testimony for righteousness sake. Us endeavoring to do right by God will make things work together for our good. And the spiritual blessings He gifts will help us stay in harmony with God’s will.