When we consider that everything on earth comes from God, then we can understand that when he wants to bless us he can do so at will - because he will be taking what is his and giving it to us. Our Father is a generous God who wants to ensure that his children do not lack anything. Poverty is not his will for us.
As the Children of Israel left Egypt after 430 years in slavery, God blessed them beyond measure. “The Lord had made the Egyptians favourably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for...” (Exodus 12:36) They left Egypt with articles of silver, gold and clothing. He had earlier on revealed it to his servant Abraham “... know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated for 400 years. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves and afterward they will come out with great possessions.” (Genesis 15:14) Thus, several years of hard labour were remunerated in a single day.
It is God’s nature to bless out of his good pleasure. He blessed Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He told father Abraham as he overlooked the whole plain of the Jordan; “Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west. All the land you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land for I am giving it to you.” (Genesis 13:15-17)
When Abraham sent his chief servant to look for a wife for his son Isaac, this was how he introduced his master. “I am Abraham’s servant. The Lord has blessed my master abundantly, and he has become wealthy. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, menservants and maidservants, and camels and donkeys.” (Genesis 24:35)
When there was a severe famine in Israel and Isaac was contemplating on plans to relocate to Egypt like his father did, God told him not to move an inch, that he would prosper him. “Do not go down to Egypt, live in the land where I tell you to live. Stay in this land for a while and I will be with you and will bless you.” (Genesis 26:2-3) He blessed Isaac in Gerar until he became the envy of Abimelech, king of the Philistines.
“Isaac planted crops in the land and the same year reaped a hundredfold because the Lord blessed him. The man became rich, and his wealth continued to grow until he became very wealthy. He had so many flocks and herds and servants that the Philistines envied him.” (Genesis 26:12) Amidst strife and struggle, Abimelech sought to reconcile with him. He confessed; “We saw clearly that the Lord was with you, so we said there ought to be a sworn agreement between us and you.” (Genesis 26:28)
Isaac had dug wells that provided water in abundance thus enabling his workers to plant crops that yielded bountifully. Each time it was apparent Isaac was doing well, his enemies would claim possession of the wells and the land and would ask him to leave. But everywhere he relocated to and wells were dug, water sprouted, his fields became green and prosperity took an upward leap. In the end, Abimelech had to humble himself knowing that God was with Isaac and nothing he could have done could have stopped his blessings from flowing.
Before Jacob parted with his maternal uncle Laban, to return home after a twenty-year sojourn in Paddan Aram, God prospered him. “...he grew exceedingly prosperous and came to own large flocks, and maidservants and menservants, and camels and donkeys.” (Genesis 30:43)
God had prepared for the Children of Israel “... a land full of milk and honey ...” “... a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant – then you will eat and are satisfied..” (Deuteronomy 6:10b-11)
It is God’s desire to bless you and to bless you indeed. Jabez (which means pain) had attributed his status to the choice of name which he considered a hindrance to his advancement and prosperity. One day he could take it no longer so he prayed: “O that you will bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” (1 Chronicles 4:10) “And God granted his request.”
Indeed God has blessed us already – and we are not limiting it to financial blessings alone – but spiritual, physical health, offspring (children, grand children, and great grand children), shelter, jobs. Count your blessings and see what the Lord has done. We must position ourselves to receive and not doubt. The Children of Israel did absolutely nothing to gain entry into the Promised Land – they literally walked into it. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Job and many other biblical characters depended on God for their blessings. All that is required of us is our obedience.
Count on the Lord for blessings untold. His hand is not short to bless you.
