Blessed Art Thou

J. J.

May the words of my mouth, and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable in Thy sight,

O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen. (Ps. 19:14)

“Blessed Art Thou”

“Have a blessed day.” Perhaps you have heard that phrase from time to time. Too often it’s not a parting wish from a close friend. It’s Christian-ese, a religionized phrase one hears from a stranger: a waitress or a clerk. I don’t doubt the sincerity of all who use it, but we may consider what the impact of the phrase is on our thinking. Blessed in what way?

“I’m so blessed.” Another phrase we hear. Let me underscore. It is good that we recognize and realize the good in our lives, and that that good comes from God. It is also good that we are grateful for that good, and that we express thanks for it. That is good. When, however, do we hear this phrase? In response to a nice home. A new job or a college admission or the like. For things tangible. Yes, for some intangibles, too: family and friends, health and happiness. But do you notice something? Whether the blessing is tangible or intangible, it is almost always temporal. A thing of this world, or this life. When is the last time you heard someone say, “I’m so blessed,” in reference to forgiveness, life, or salvation? What does that teach us about how we think of blessings?

Jesus taught the crowds. He was sitting on the hillside, looking down toward the Sea of Galilee, the crowds spread out below Him. He told them that they were blessed. But He didn’t mention house or home. He didn’t talk about family or friends. Neither health nor wealth. What did He tell them?

You are blessed for yours is the kingdom of heaven. You are blessed for you will be comforted. You are blessed for you will receive mercy. You are blessed for you will see God.

All these blessings would be theirs. And they would be theirs in spite of their earthly condition or state of life. You are mourning, but you will be comforted. You hunger for righteousness, but you will be filled. You are meek and lowly, but you will inherit the earth.

Their earthly blessings were not even on the list. Nor did their earthly blessings control or limit or dictate their stated of blessedness. What happens when having a blessed day is reduced to the functional equivalent of having a nice day? Who doesn’t enjoy a nice day? But it has no substance to it. It’s not really significant. It evaporates. It’s here and then it’s gone. And another day takes its place that’s not so nice.

What then, becomes of us in those not-so-nice days? Does our blessing evaporate, too? If our focus is only on things temporal, on how things are going, then it will certainly appear that way. But what if, what if in the midst of feeling poor in spirit you received the kingdom of God? And what a glorious kingdom it is!

John describes some of it for us in his vision in the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Before the throne of the Lamb he sees the host arrayed in white, crying out, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb.” That is a blessedness that sticks with you day in, day out. Even on hard days. That is a blessedness that comforts you when you mourn. That is a blessedness that fills and satisfies you when your heart is hungry and your soul is thirsty.

There are some who try to rob you of this blessedness. They try to turn these beatitudes into Do-attitudes. You do this, have the right attitude and the can-do spirit, and you will get that. But that is not how it works. What did John hear? They have washed their robes and made them white by their sweat and tears? No, they have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. His blood has cleansed them from every spot and stain.

Today we give thanks for that great white host. We remember them not just because we miss them. We do miss them. We remember them because their lives keep us pointed to the Lamb. In their lives we saw the blessing of God. Not just the have-a-nice-day blessings, but the blessings of forgiveness, life, and salvation. The blessing of adoption as sons and daughters of God. The blessing of citizenship in Christ’s kingdom.

We are already now part of that great white host. For you were washed in the blood of the Lamb in your baptism. We see the blessedness they now enjoy. And you know that you, too, are blessed. Blessed in the midst of whatever is happening in your life: up, down or sideways. You can rejoice and be glad, even when others persecute you and say false things against you because you are a Christian. You can rejoice, not about the persecution, not about your illness, distress, poverty, or loneliness. You can rejoice because great is your reward in heaven. And when the end of the day comes, today, tomorrow, and every day, when you lay your head on the pillow and think, “How was my day?” you can proclaim, “I had a blessed day," because you are a child of God, forgiven and redeemed, and an heir of His kingdom. Now and forever.

For Christ has died. Christ is risen. And Christ shall come again. Amen.

S. D. G.