God's Ultimate Blessing

What is the Ultimate Blessing of God? Many within and without Christianity surmise that such a blessing is riches, power, big houses and fleets of vehicles. Others say the ultimate blessing is nonstop good health, food and pleasure. 

A person viewing God’s ultimate blessing in those terms may be disappointed by Jesus’ statements at Matthew 5:1-12. There Jesus shows us that the ultimate blessing is about relationship with God.

In Psalm 24, David expresses his confidence in who God is and the ultimate blessing God imparts: an intimate relationship with Himself, the Most High God, Sovereign over all! That blessing comprises His saving grace, a right standing before Him, and His desire for us to live into His moral will. Ephesians describes that relationship with God as “in Christ;” in Him we are bathed in an outpouring of all spiritual blessings from His hand. (Ephesians 1) From those blessings come provision for all our needs. (Phil 4:19). 

In this ultimate blessing, we are drawn into His spiritual family and made joint heirs with Christ. We come to know God in that ultimate blessing as Father, and the more intimate Abba Father. Do we truly comprehend what God offers us – a blessing beyond anything we can ever imagine? (Ephesians 3:20-21; Colossians 1:9-14; 2:2) Too often, though, we short-shrift God’s blessing, His promised presence in our lives, because we don’t get what we want from Him. Brothers and sisters, God does not promise to satisfy our every fleshly desire and whim; His promise is to be always present with those who love Him, guiding us to His best for our lives. (Psalm 23; 139:1-6, 16-18)

As we live into God’s ultimate blessing, are we not filled with the desire to praise Him with our words and behavior, to be His living gospel, to not embarrass Him? We are His children, Christ’s siblings! Should we not pray and listen to Him, obey His Word? Jesus declares that obedience to God’s will and Word is the essence of worship. (John 14:15, 23-24) We are embraced in that relationship by the full Godhead, and there is nothing or no one – not even ourselves – that can separate us from that love. (John 10:28-29; Romans 8:35, 38-39) Are we living into God’s blessing? Do we understand that an intimate relationship with God and to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever is His greatest desire for us? Everything else flows from there. (Habakkuk 3:17-19; Philippians 4:4-7)

By contrast, the psalmist clearly admonishes in Psalm 24 that those who reject the LORD as Sovereign, and pursue a lifestyle contrary to His moral law, cannot enjoy that ultimate blessing of intimacy with Him. Let us never spurn God’s ultimate blessing, but continually seek His presence and learn His will! (Hebrews 6:1-6; Isaiah 44:22; 55:7; Psalm 32; Ephesians1:17-19)

Invitation to Dinner

When a person hosts a special dinner for a close friend or two, he or she takes time to set the table, making it inviting and comfortable, a delight to the eyes as well as to the palate. The best dinnerware is brought out, the chairs are clean and comfortable, the table dressed in the best linens or covers and perhaps have a ‘tablescape’ that complements the event. Such care is taken because the person loves his or her guests, wants them to be encouraged, to feel valued, and to thoroughly enjoy the fellowship to which they have been invited. The person is especially inclined to be intentional in setting the table when those friends are enduring difficult times. The fellowship time generates enhanced relationships, a tighter bond.

When what we know as Psalm 23 was being penned by David under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he was moved to write in the midst of great challenge – people were seeking his death. David was running for his life. In the entire circumstance of challenge, sadness, and despair experienced by David (the person who had wanted David killed was the King of Israel, and one whom David had drawn close to with a fondness seeing in the king a father-like figure). Can you imagine the rollercoaster emotions David had to be experiencing?

David turned to his Heavenly Father for comfort, companionship, and encouragement in such times of discouragement. When we experience difficulties and trials, a key impact is the opportunity for increased intimacy with our Heavenly Father. David describes the intimacy and blessing of a special time of fellowship with his Heavenly Father: “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” Can we picture just what David is writing? Can we see the circumstance through his eyes? God the Father set the table and invites David. Although David was the servant and God the host, David’s Father God arranged a unique and special time of sweet communion and intimate fellowship in the midst of David’s severe troubles. God carved out special times of communion with David, and was committed to fellowship with him. God Himself sets the tablescape, bringing all the perfect accoutrements required.

Do we aspire to that kind of intimacy with God as David did? When we are facing trials so much bigger than us, and possibly in deep pain, do we thank God that He is always present and so willing to share intimate time with us? Do we find the grace of God in the tablescape of His desire to enjoy the opportunity to ‘sit’ with us and bring us the peace and contentment of a relationship with the Prince of Peace, God of Love? (compare Luke 24:13-15, 28-32) Don’t put the opportunity aside, saying you will get around to spending time with God; RSVP now to God’s invitation to fellowship with Him. The table is set just for you.