Psalm 32:1-2 - Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
"Blessed" can be a difficult word to pin down as far as definitions go. In Scripture, the word blessed is sometimes used to praise and glorify God: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!" (1 Peter 1:3a). We may speak of being blessed with family, friends, or good health, and we give thanks for those gifts of God. To be blessed can mean to be happy, although it is much more than that. To be blessed is to receive the favor of God. We are blessed as God turns His shining face towards us, as we so often hear in the benediction at the close of worship: "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace" (Numbers 6:24-26).
The psalmist speaks of an even more important gift of God, a blessing beyond all others: "Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered." Forgiveness is gift of divine favor, of God's grace. It is a blessing that we could never earn by our own efforts. The apostle Paul uses these psalm verses to describe "the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works" (Romans 4:6b).
The Lord Jesus, whose blood cleanses us from all sin, spoke of the blessed in the Beatitudes of His Sermon on the Mount (see Matthew 5:3-10). Although the Beatitudes may be considered in many different ways, they also reflect the blessings that are ours when our sins are covered by Jesus' blood. The poor in spirit, the mourning and the meek are brought into the kingdom of God's Son and humbly receive the comfort found in forgiveness. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are fully satisfied, blessed to be clothed by faith in the righteousness of Christ.
The merciful seek to forgive as they have been forgiven. Purity of heart belongs to those who are cleansed of sin by Jesus' blood. The psalmist describes the blessed pure in heart as people "in whose spirit there is no deceit." The peacemakers know that in conflict, forgiveness can bring healing because they have been healed by the Savior's wounds.
In what is perhaps Jesus' most astonishing pronouncement in the Beatitudes, the persecuted are also called blessed. The good news of repentance and forgiveness in Jesus' Name is not always welcome among those who hear it. Sadly, many will choose to reject the blessing of that blood-bought forgiveness. Yet in the power of the Holy Spirit, those who hear and believe receive forgiveness for their sins and join the eternal ranks of the blessed!
WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, lead me to bless others with the good news of forgiveness through faith in Your Name. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.
Reflection Questions:
1. What are five blessings God has given you?
2. How does God make us righteous before Him apart from our own effort?
3. Can we be persecuted and blessed at the same time?
Today's Bible Readings: Exodus 31-33 Mark 3:1-19
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