Lesson 21 – Blessed Are Those in the House of God

Psalm 65:4 (NIV)
"Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple."

That's what the church of Jesus is--those chosen by God to live in his courts, receiving the good things of the life of faith. Of course, we don't physically live in God's courts, but we are those blessed with God's nearness.

Several things about the church are revealed to us in this verse. Note first that we are those who have been chosen. Before the foundation of this world, God chose to love us in Christ. Our salvation is not based on any goodness or worthiness on our part, but on God's decision to love us. Being chosen means we've not been left alone. We're wanted, and not just by anyone, but the God of this universe.

Next, the church is made up of those who have been brought near to Christ. Whereas sin separated us God's presence, for our sinful unrighteousness could not dwell with God's holiness without suffering destruction, God reached across this divide suffering destruction on our behalf. Through faith in Christ, we're invited fully into God's presence, bearing not our own righteousness, but Christ's holiness.

Finally, this verse speaks of the church as those who dwell in God's courts. Essentially, we are those of God's household, joint heirs of the kingdom with Jesus Christ. While we all have earthly families, through Jesus, we join the household of faith, becoming God's own possession. I can't imagine what it would be like not to have a home, but even if all we know on this earth passes away, we have a home in Christ, dwelling in God's courts.

 

 

 

 

Lesson 20 – Blessed in Belief

Luke 1:45 (NIV)
"Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"

Seems to me that this promise applies equally to everyone who professes a faith in Jesus Christ. God's blessings are upon those who believe. In these, we experience a right relationship with the Lord, know peace that is without any other basis, and truly experience joy no matter how things turn out.

While Mary was blessed of God in being chosen to be the mother of Jesus, the path to this blessing was belief. In fact, I suspect God would have chosen another if Mary had hardened her heart and refused to believe that God's way would involve a pregnancy outside of marriage. But that was God's way then, and even today, it is still God's way. Our Lord reveals his will to his people and allows us to make a choice to believe.

While I wouldn't advocate belief simply to receive God's blessings, even believers need to be reminded that we don't experience some blessings simply because we're not living each day in belief. And while our God seeks trust, most of us have trust issues. By definition, this means we're not in control, and quite frankly, that doesn't sit well with some of us, myself included.

So what to do? How do we live a life of faith?

Let's start by committing to allowing God to be God, reminding ourselves daily he is in control and that we've surrendered willingly to his will. I'm not talking about beating ourselves down, for God created us with a great capacity to think and function in life, but to trust God knows what he is doing, even when I'm not so sure about where my life is heading.

For me, this means taking time each day to resurrender myself to whatever the Lord determines to bring my way. If God wills it, I am for it. If God wills it, I rejoice in it. If God wills it, I won't run from it. This is a tall order, but one needed from every believer if we are to receive God's blessings.