Praise the Lord! The Lord has been good to us throughout the past week as He had been always good to us throughout our life so far. We can be assured of the fact based on our life so far that He will remain good to us for the rest of our life. When we say that the Lord God has been good to us, it doesn’t mean that we do not have any challenges or face any problems in our life. We do! In fact, as faithful followers of Christ, we have lots of problems in life as well as lots of challenges (oppositions) in our ministry.  We face problems that challenge us from within us (Proverbs 4:23-24; John 14:27b) as well as from outside, as Apostle Paul testified that:

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you (2 Corinthians 4:8-12)

In order to overcome all the trials and troubles and challenges in our life, we ought to crucify the flesh with its passions and desires, as Apostle Paul urged the believers in Galatia: Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires (Galatians 5:24; also refer to Romans 6:6; 8:13; Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 3:5). Despite all our distrust in the promises of God, the God of peace (1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 3:16) will give us spiritual strength and enable us to overcome all the problems we face in our everyday life and ministry. The Scripture states Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken (Psalm 55:22; also refer to 1 Peter 5:7). Jesus promised His followers prior to His ascension to heaven that Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (John 14:27). Apostle Paul encouraged the believers in Philippi, saying: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7; also refer to Colossians 3:15). Thus, we, who are in the Lord, become more than conquerors through Him who strengthen us, as it is mentioned: … in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us (Romans 8:37).

The Lord has blessed us with a very promising Scripture passage for our SftW meditation this week, which is taken from 1 Corinthians 2:9, which is [perhaps] based on the promise the Lord God has already spoken through His servant Isaiah to those who faithfully followed Him (Isaiah 64:4). The key focus of the passage is that God promises to bless everyone who loves Him, fears Him, and waits upon Him beyond their perceptions or imaginations or expectations; and He is faithful to fulfill what He promised to them. This definitely indicates that God is able to bless those who faithfully follow Him and love Him and fear Him and wait upon Him more than they can imagine or ask for. God’s faithfulness brings both spiritual blessings as well as material blessings to those who love Him. The spiritual blessings will continue beyond our earthly life but the material blessings will last only till the end our earthly life.

The problem we face in these days is that people measure their blessings based on the material resources they own. According to the worldly standard, the size of one’s worldly possessions and positions determines the size of one’s blessings. Many compare themselves with those around them, especially in connection with their worldly possessions and positions. For instance, if someone owns a lot of worldly possessions and holds a higher ranking position in society, then they will be labeled as a blessed person. Such people measure one’s blessings with worldly standards but God measures one’s blessings with godly standards, which is based on one’s righteous lifestyle and righteous deeds. While people look at someone’s outward appearance and worldly position and evaluate their life, God looks at inward qualities and godly possessions in one’s life. For instance: The Lord said to Samuel, Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Apostle Peter wrote to the followers of Christ that: Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight (1 Peter 3:3-4; also refer to Colossians 3:12). One’s righteous living and dependance on God brings life, prosperity, and honor in this life and in the life to come, as it is mentioned in Proverbs: Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor (Proverbs 21:21).

It doesn’t matter whether a person is rich or poor in this world, the thing that matters is that how righteously they lived in this world and how wisely they make use of the resources they were given in this world. Too much wealth is not going to help anyone from escaping the day of wrath but a righteous lifestyle could possibly deliver one from the day of wrath, as it is mentioned in the Scripture: Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death (Proverbs 11:4). As faithful followers of Jesus Christ, we need to obey the righteous laws and decrees and commands the Lord God Almighty, our Creator God, has given us and live a life that is worthy of our calling, which will definitely play a major role in determining the true blessings in our life on earth as well as in the age to come.

As we have discussed above, for most people, the quantity of one’s worldly possessions determines whether a person is rich or poor. If they have large quantity of material possessions or hold a high ranking position, that is counted as the sign of blessing, which, in fact, is not the right way of thinking, at least from the perspective of godly people. Apostles rejoiced when they owned nothing of their own in this world (Matthew 19:27; Mark 10:28; Luke 5:11; 18:28) and when persecuted they became part of Christ’s suffering (Matthew 5:11-12; Acts 5:41; 1 Peter 4:13). Paul said that I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances (Philippians 4:11). He rejoiced when he went through severe persecution because he suffered it for the cause of the gospel preaching, as he stated: I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:18). This means, for a faithful follower of Christ, it is not only their material blessings that matters but God’s mercy and favor and love and things like that which also part of God’s blessings. The material blessings we have are not just for our own survival, but it is to be shared with others who don’t have resources to live their life.   And we share because we did not bring anything into this world and we will take nothing out of this world when we depart, as it is mentioned: We brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it (1 Timothy 6:7; also refer to Job 1:21a; Psalm 49:17; Ecclesiastes 5:15). However, the Lord God will bless everyone who loves Him more than they imagine or ask for, which would be sufficient enough for their survival on earth.

Although there are numerous examples recorded in the Scripture to highlight the blessings of God upon those who fear the Lord and wait upon Him, we will discuss a few of them just for our encouragement. Initially, let us look at the life of king David. As a boy or as an early teenager, neither David nor his parents nor his older brothers who served in the army of Israel ever thought that someday he would become the king of Israel. As a young man, in his early teen years, he was happy with his life and profession. He enjoyed his life as the youngest son of a well-to-do godly parents in Bethlehem Judah. He had seven older brothers to have fun with and plenty of resources to live a lavish life. He also enjoyed his profession as a shepherd as his father entrusted with him the sheep the family owned. In fact, he made his work place, which is the pasturelands, his altar and worship centers to sing and praise and worship the god of his fathers, and to meditate upon the righteous laws and decrees and commands the Lord God had given them through Moses. He was a true worshiper of the God of Israel, obeyed the law of God in its entirety since his young age, and lived his life exactly the way God wanted him to live, and did everything in life as per God’s direction. Outwardly, he was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features (1 Samuel 16:12); and inwardly, he was a man of faith and humility and integrity and he trusted the God of his fathers. In addition, he was a man of obedience: he obeyed his earthly father (Jesse of Bethlehem) and took care of the sheep (1 Samuel 16:11); and his Heavenly Father (the God of Israel) and fulfilled God’s purpose in and through his life, as it is mentioned: … He [David] will do everything I [God of Israel] want him to do (Acts 13:22b). Thus, the Scripture clearly states that David had served God’s purpose in his own generation (Acts 13:36a). In a nutshell, David was a very happy young man who pleased the family and friends as well as the God of his fathers – the Lord God Almighty!

God testified about him as a man after God’s own heart, as God declared: I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do (Acts 13:22; also refer to 1 Samuel 13:14; Psalm 89:20). In God’s appointed time, the Lord chose David and took him from tending the sheep and made him the shepherd of his people Israel, as it is mentioned: He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance (Psalm 78:70-71); and the Scripture confirms that David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them (Psalm 78:72). Above all else, God brought forth the Savior of mankind – Jesus Christ, in the line of David – a great blessing for the entire mankind (Matthew 1:1; Luke 1:32-33; Romans 1:3; Galatians 4:4; 2 Timothy 2:8; Revelation 22:16; also refer to 2 Samuel 7:12-13; Jeremiah 23:5; Micah 5:2). The Scripture states that: What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived—the things God has prepared for those who love him (1 Corinthians 2:9)

For our next example, let us focus on prophet Elijah who faithfully served the Lord God Almighty who created the heavens and the earth and everything in them, including human beings (Genesis 1:1-2:2). Elijah was one of the prominent prophets in Israel during the Old Testament times, whose name in Hebrew is אֱלִיָּהוּ, Eliyyahu, which means ‘Yahweh is my God or My God is Yahweh.’ He was known for his unwavering faith in the God of Israel and opposed everything that dishonored the name of God in Israel. In the midst of so much opposition from the royal family, especially from the Israelite king Ahab and his Sidonian wife Jezebel, and about eight hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and Asherah, and a vast majority of Israelites who had forsaken the God of their fathers and worshipped Baal and Asherah, Elijah took courage to stand all-alone to defend the name of God in Israel and the worship of Yahweh in Israel and proved that Yahweh is God, as the people acknowledge that The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God (1 Kings 18:16-39). Elijah was very zealous for the Lord God Almighty but he became angry and disappointed when the Israelites rejected God’s covenant, tore down the altars where Yahweh – the God of Israel was worshipped – and put God’s prophets to death with the sword. Elijah came to a point of asking God to take away his life due to Israel’s unfaithfulness against the God of their fathers, and pleading with God to take away his life and lying down under a broom tree and waiting for his death (1 Kings 19:1-5). However, God sent His angel to tell him to get up and eat that he has to take a long journey (a journey of forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb [from near Beersheba in Judah – 1 Kings 19:3-4], the mountain of God [1 Kings 19:8]) in order to receive the revelation of God and carry out the rest of the ministry the Lord God wanted to fulfill in and through his life.  This included anointing Hazael as king over Syria, anointing Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel, and anointing Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah as prophet in his place (1 Kings 19:15-16). Although he was angry and disappointed with everything that was occurring in contrary to the commands of God in Israel and the neighboring regions, he fearlessly obeyed God’s commands in its entirety without any hesitation. Therefore, the best part of Elijah’s life and ministry was not just spending momentary times with God at Horeb, the mountain of God, but his journey from earth to glory in a whirlwind carrying him on a chariot of fire and horses of fire where he could be with the Lord God in eternity. The Holy Scriptures states that the Lord God sent a chariot of fire and horses of fire to carry prophet Elijah into His presence in heaven. Thus, prophet Elijah was taken alive in to heaven in a whirlwind on a chariot of fire and horses of fire, which Elijah might not have ever thought even in his wildest imaginations. The Scripture states that: What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived—the things God has prepared for those who love him (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Another example we have chosen for our reference is Mary, the mother of Jesus. What an honor for Mary who was chosen to be the mother of Jesus in this world. As a young woman, Mary might have not ever thought about such a privilege in her life up until the time God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to let her know about His plan of bringing Jesus into this world through her (Luke 1:26-38). Mary was highly favored and blessed by being the channel in the hands of God for bringing Jesus into this world and the world will call her blessed (Luke 1:28, 42, 45). The Scripture states that: What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived—the things God has prepared for those who love him (1 Corinthians 2:9).

We will discuss one more example and wind up our meditation for this week, and this person is Apostle Paul. If we lived as a Jew in the first century AD just after Christ’s arrest, religious and civil trials, crucifixion, death, and burial, we would have given our full support for Saul/Paul who was trying to weaken the strength of all who followed Christ. Again, if we lived as a follower of Christ Jesus in the first century AD just after Christ’s arrest, religious and civil trials, crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension to heaven, we would have opposed Paul’s plan of persecuting the followers of Christ and putting some of them in the prison. In addition, we would have definitely prayed for intervention for his actions against the followers of Christ Jesus. However, when Paul was visited by the glorified Christ and came to know the truth about Christ, he surrendered his life to Jesus and committed his life for His ministry. Paul was chosen to be the Apostle of Gentiles and preached the Gospel of Grace to untold number of Jews as well as non-Jews of his generation. Apostle Paul was happy to finish his spiritual race successfully, as he stated: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

Dear friends in the Lord, Biblical history reveals that it is not only the above mentioned people who are blessed by the Lord more than they imagined or asked for but numerous others are also mentioned in the Scripture. In addition, the Christian tradition reveals that many saints since the first century were blessed by God more than they could imagine or ask for, which will continue to happen until the day Christ returns. Many of us who are living in this generation also can testify about such blessings. If any of us are still doubtful, now is the time for us to trust the Lord wholeheartedly and believe in the promises written in the Word of God, especially regarding God’s promise to everyone who loves Him and waits upon Him that What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived the things God has prepared for those who love him (1 Corinthians 2:9). Believe it or not, our life experience up until now itself is more than enough for us to trust in God’s promises. Think about ourselves, how many times have you and I thought that we will not reach this far in life, but we are here today – now! It is not because of our ability or skills but because of God’s faithfulness to you and me. Yes, you heard it right! It is nothing but because of God’s faithfulness to us that we are here today. Therefore, let us measure our life not with the standards of this world but with the standard of the Word of God.  Let us submit ourselves before God and live a life that is worthy of our calling. God is faithful and He will do more than you imagine or ask for. May the Lord God Almighty bless us all! Amen!