To Accept God’s Blessings, We Must First Accept His
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
This evening, I want to share with you a powerful message about accepting God’s blessings and the significance of accepting His will in our lives. The Bible teaches us that God desires to bless us abundantly, but there is a crucial prerequisite: we must first accept His authority and surrender to His plans. This fundamental principle is essential for us to experience the fullness of God’s blessings in our lives.
To understand the importance of accepting God’s blessings, we need to dive into the Scriptures and explore the wisdom they contain. The Bible, the living Word of God, provides us with insights and instructions on how to live a life that is pleasing to Him. One passage that illuminates this concept is found in the book of Deuteronomy 28:1-14.
In Deuteronomy 28, Moses is addressing the Israelites, preparing them to enter the Promised Land. He outlines the blessings that await them if they obey God’s commandments and walk in His ways. These blessings include prosperity, success, and victory over their enemies. However, Moses also warns them of the consequences of disobedience, which would result in curses, hardships, and defeat.
This passage clearly illustrates the principle that accepting God’s blessings is directly connected to our obedience and submission to His will. When we align our lives with His purposes, we position ourselves to receive the overflowing blessings that He has in store for us. It is not a matter of luck or chance; rather, it is a matter of choice and obedience.
In the New Testament, we find further confirmation of this principle. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus instructs His disciples, saying, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Here, Jesus emphasizes the importance of prioritizing our relationship with God above all else. When we seek His kingdom and righteousness, all the things we need will be provided for us.
Accepting God’s blessings requires us to align our desires and plans with His perfect will. It involves surrendering our ambitions, dreams, and even our fears and anxieties to Him. In Proverbs 16:3, we read, “Commit your works to the LORD, and your thoughts will be established.” When we commit our plans and actions to God, He guides our thoughts and establishes our paths. He opens doors, makes a way where there seems to be no way, and leads us into the fullness of His blessings.
Furthermore, accepting God’s blessings involves acknowledging that all good things come from Him. In James 1:17, it says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” When we recognize that every blessing in our lives is a gift from God, it cultivates an attitude of gratitude and humility within us. It guards us against pride and reminds us to give glory and honor to the One who blesses us abundantly.
To accept God’s blessings, we must also have faith in His promises. Hebrews 11:6 states, “But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” When we have unwavering faith in God’s faithfulness and trustworthiness, we position ourselves to receive His blessings. It is through faith that we tap into the supernatural realm of God’s provision and experience the miraculous in our lives.
In addition to faith, prayer plays a vital role in accepting God’s blessings. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Through prayer, we communicate with God, expressing our desires, concerns, and gratitude. It is in this intimate connection with our Heavenly Father that we find solace, direction, and the assurance that He hears and answers our prayers.
When we come before God in prayer, we must not only present our requests but also align our hearts with His will. Jesus Himself demonstrated this when He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane before His crucifixion. In Luke 22:42, Jesus said, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Even in the face of immense suffering, Jesus submitted Himself to the Father’s will. He accepted the plan and purpose that God had for His life.
Accepting God’s blessings does not mean that life will always be free from challenges or trials. In fact, the Bible assures us that we will face various difficulties and tribulations. However, when we surrender to God’s will, we can be confident that He will use every circumstance for our ultimate good and His glory. Romans 8:28 affirms this truth, saying, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
God’s blessings are not limited to material possessions or worldly success. While He does provide for our physical needs, His blessings extend far beyond that. They include spiritual growth, peace, joy, love, wisdom, and the fruits of the Holy Spirit manifesting in our lives. Galatians 5:22-23 describes these fruits, saying, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such, there is no law.”
As followers of Christ, we are called to be His ambassadors, shining His light and sharing His love with the world. When we accept God’s blessings in our lives, we become living testimonies of His goodness, mercy, and faithfulness. Our transformed lives and the joy that radiates from within us become powerful witnesses that draw others to Christ.
In accepting God’s blessings, we also embrace the responsibility to steward them wisely. God blesses us not only for our benefit but also so that we can bless others. As we read in Luke 12:48, “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required.” God entrusts us with His blessings, talents, resources, and opportunities, expecting us to use them to further His kingdom and to be a blessing to those around us.
Moreover, accepting God’s blessings requires us to cultivate a heart of gratitude. When we recognize that every good thing in our lives comes from God, gratitude becomes our natural response. We are reminded in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Gratitude keeps our hearts humble and open to receiving more of God’s blessings, and it positions us to experience His continual favor and grace.
In conclusion, to accept God’s blessings, we must first accept His authority and surrender to His will. The Bible clearly teaches us that obedience, faith, prayer, and gratitude are essential in positioning ourselves to receive the abundance of blessings that God has in store for us. It is through aligning our desires and plans with His perfect will that we find true fulfillment, purpose, and the overflowing blessings that come from a life lived in relationship with Him.
Today, I encourage you to examine your heart and ask yourself if you have fully accepted God’s authority in your life. Are there areas where you have been resistant or hesitant to surrender to His will? Take a moment to pray and invite the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas of disobedience or self-reliance that may be hindering you from experiencing God’s blessings in their fullness.
Shalom
