CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 911

“Blessed”

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

We do not have far to look to find those among us who are in the ‘year of drought’ in their lives right now. These are difficult times for both Christian and non-Christian alike, to say the least.

Sometimes it is difficult to acknowledge that we are blessed especially when we focus on all the trials, troubles and burdens that we are in the midst of. Note in our reference Scripture that the key to being blessed is trust in the Lord. Our focus must not be on our troubles but rather on the Lord in whom we trust. Notice that the tree in Jeremiah’s analogy ‘sends it roots toward the stream’. Our focus must be to continually reach for the Living Water of Jesus Christ and we are blessed.

Notice also that the tree is ‘planted by the water’. To be blessed of the Lord we must remain close to Him. Far too many of us wander away and seek first the things of this world and then we wonder why we are not blessed. We send our ‘roots’ after other solutions and trust our own devises rather than fully trust in the Lord. Our heart must seek first His kingdom and His righteousness if we are to live a blessed life. We must remain pure in heart and motive. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8)

You know you are blessed when you have no fear and are not anxious regardless of your circumstances. You know you are blessed when you continue to bear fruit – that is able to bless others with the blessing you receive from God. We err when we equate blessing solely with money and material possessions. Our greatest blessing is the active, abiding presence of the Lord in our heart bringing peace, love, encouragement and the evidence of the fruit of the Spirit in our lives that not only blesses us but also all whom we encounter.

May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble!
May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!
May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion!
May he remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices!
May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans!
May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners!
May the LORD fulfill all your petitions! (Psalm 20:1-5)

This Psalm is my prayer of blessing for all of you. May it also be your prayer of blessing for others that the Lord will prompt you to pray for.

Be blessed of the Lord!