What Does It Mean to Be Blessed

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE BLESSED

"And Jabez called on the God of Israel ... "Oh that you would bless me, indeed ..." 1 Chronicles 4:10

We are continuing to have computer issues, so please pardon the delay in getting out this morning's Freedom Fighter ...

This verse is so filled with precious truth. I wanted to move on a share some things with you, but felt led to do a little more digging on this concept of what Jabez was asking the God of Israel, when he petitioned him to “bless” him.
There are basically three words for bless that I see in the Old Testament for bless. The first two appear to refer to both God’s blessing His people and how we bless Him. In both cases, the word “abundantly” is attached to the meaning.
The third word means “happy” and is the byproduct of how we walk with God.
A man is “blessed” or “happy” when:
1. He doesn’t walk in the council of the wicked, doesn’t stand in the
paths of sinners, and doesn’t sit with the scoffers. (Psalm 1:1)
2. He takes refuge in Him. (Psalm 2:12; Psalm 34:8)
3. He makes the Lord his trust. (Psalm 40:4; Jeremiah 17:7)
4. He considers the helpless. (Psalm 41:1)
5. He dwells in His house. (Psalm 84:4)
6. His strength is in the Lord. (Psalm 84:5)
7. He is chastened by the Lord. (Psalm 94:12)
8. He keeps justice and practices righteousness at all times. (Psalm 106:3)
9. He fears the Lord. (Psalm 112:1; 128:1; Proverbs 28:14)
10. His way is blameless. (Psalm 119:1)
11. His quiver is full. (Psalm 127:5)
12. His God is the Lord. (Psalm 114:15)
13. He finds godly wisdom. (Proverbs 3:13)
14. He keeps HIS ways. (Proverbs 8:32)
15. He listens to God. (Proverbs 8:34)
16. His sons are blessed because of his integrity. (Proverbs 20:7)
17. He is generous. (Proverbs 22:9)
18. He longs for his God. (Isaiah 30:18)
19. He waits for his God. (Daniel 12:12)

This is not an exhaustive list, but a list from just the Old Testatment.
Before you cry out to the God is Israel to abundantly bless you – think through how HAPPY you are when these 19 principles are true in your personal walk with God.

Tomorrow we will look at the “Happy” man from the New Testament.

Great quote:“If we interrupt the process of sanctification by procrastinating in meeting an issue that God has set before us or by reverting to a posture of backsliding unbelief, God in his love will inevitably bring our lives into circumstances of failure, frustration or suffering which will drive us back to sobriety. The progress of our spiritual growth is not a matter of our own initiative and designing; it is under the control and direction of God who has begun a good work in us and will work patiently to perfect it until the day of Christ.” Richard Lovelace, Dynamics of Spiritual Life