September 25, 2023 -- Psalm 41:13 -- The Psalm Series: Now Blessed be the LORD our God!

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
    from everlasting to everlasting!
Amen and Amen.
Psalm 41:13 ESV

The very first book of the Psalms, there are five books in total, ends with the Psalm-writer crying out “Blessed be the LORD”. Likely this is not a common part of your daily speech. Blessing the LORD is more common than you think in the Scriptures. Moses’ father-in-law speaks blessing to the LORD in conversation with his son-in-law Moses (Exodus 18:10). When Abraham’s servant finds a suitable wife he blesses the LORD (Genesis 24:27). In fact, today’s devotion could be filled with Scripture references, all the people and an explanation of their circumstances when they spoke out blessing God.

What does it mean to bless the LORD God? It is to recognize His goodness in your life and speak it back to Him. To bless the LORD is to tell Him His greatness is beyond all comparison. Sometimes a Christian will declare this in holy awe, for example, the moment a father holds his newborn baby. Sometimes a Christian will declare the blessedness of God in joy even as it is served with a side of grief, at the graveside of a beloved family member. Through the tears it must be acknowledged our lives and even our death is in His hands. Blessed be the LORD Who gives and takes away. Sometimes a Christian blesses the LORD in worship, gathered with fellow believers knowing the LORD is very great and worthy of such blessing. 

How can we, mere mortals, tiny specks of dust as we are, bless the LORD our God? Our Father in heaven has chosen us in love from before the foundation of the world. Our Father in heaven has sent His Spirit to strengthen us, so that we will know how wide and high and long and deep is His love for us in Christ. When we understand these showers of blessings, our love is reflected back to Him and we declare Him blessed. Simply, and this is nearly beyond comprehension, the LORD our God has created us for relationship with Himself. He delights to bless us, His people, and we delight to be in HIs presence, it is what we are made for and where we find our life’s highest, purest purpose. The Song of Solomon is the book of the Bible that teaches us most clearly how our Savior delights in His people and rejoices to be blessed by His Church. At the very end of Scripture King Jesus calls out to His Church, His Bride: “Behold, I am returning soon”. The Bride of Christ, the Church calls out to Him, blessing Him in her anticipation—return quickly! It blesses Him that we delight in Him.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. Who is a God like You? You have crowned Your people with glory and honour. By Your Spirit You have planted in our hearts a yearning for knowing You better, a longing to be in fellowship with You. If that longing is thwarted in any way our minds and hearts are idol-factories. We will make pitiful substitutes and begin running after these worthless things. Forgive us. In view of our glorious Bridegroom Jesus and His redeeming work, cleanse us from the inside out so that all our longings are fixed in Jesus and our words and our lives, our thoughts and our actions bless You, Triune God. Amen.

https://youtu.be/ZOtF0RP_c00?si=DaOGnseSetIDqI2U “Now Blessed Be the Lord our God”

Copyright © 2023 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.