Blessed Like A Child

Blessed like a Child

Read: Mark 10:13-16

“And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.”

Mark 10:16

“Never undertake anything for which you wouldn’t have the courage to ask the blessings of heaven.”

—George C. Lichtenberg

IN WORD What is the blessing of God? It would take volumes to explore His manifold blessings. But Jesus gives us some hints as to the shape they take and who may receive them.

Is God’s blessing spiritual? Absolutely. There is a whole set of Beatitudes that spell out our blessing in Matthew 5 and Luke 6. It begins with the character God works into us, continues with Him using us to bless others, and ends with knowing Him and inheriting His kingdom. Hardship is involved, but the blessing is infinitely greater because the chief blessing is Himself.

Is it only spiritual? Absolutely not. Material wealth is not a blanket promise in the Bible, but the comfort of knowing we will be provided for is assured. The earth and all that is in it belong to the Lord. He bestows blessing on His children from His wealth. And there’s more. God’s blessing is psychological, emotional, relational, and physical. And eternal. It covers every area of our lives where our lives really have substance. It is His definition of blessing—fuller, deeper, and longer than the temporal expectations we often pursue.

IN DEED Who receives blessing in the Gospels? Those who are poor in spirit, meek, merciful, and persecuted (Matthew 5). Those who invite the poor and the lame to their banquets (Luke 14:13). Children (Mark 10:16). Those who hear the Word of God and obey it (Luke 11:28). Those who do not fall away (Luke 7:23). Those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9). In short, those who trust God and who grow to be like Him. And most of all, those who, like a child, receive His mercies in whatever form He wants to give them.