There are some meetings that stand out in your memory, not because of what God did in others but because of what God did in your own life. It was one of those nights. I stood in the pulpit during the invitation as people prayed. God was at work…and I was a spectator. You see, while others were getting right with God I was painfully aware that my own heart was not where it needed to be with the Lord. (Preachers get backslidden too!)
I drove back to the hotel after the service under conviction. Yes, I had preached the truth of God’s Word but knew that there were things in my own life that needed to be addressed. Alone in the car I said out loud, “Lord, I don’t know how you blessed tonight.” At that moment I realized I was not alone. The Holy Spirit spoke up! His words were like a dagger…
HOW DO YOU THINK I BLESS YOU ANY DAY?
The truth broke my heart. It is always grace. Always mercy. On my best day…on my worst. None of us deserve the blessing of the Lord – ever!
That night was many years ago but the lesson means more to me every day. Consider one of the most blessed men who has ever lived, King Solomon. His life is an example of immeasurable blessing and a warning of blessings squandered. Why did God bless Solomon? It certainly was not because Solomon was worthy.
There are several reasons why Solomon was so blessed and every one of them is instructive to us:
- God blessed Solomon for David’s sake. Repeatedly we are told in Scripture that the Lord kept the promises made to Solomon’s father, the man after his own heart. I am personally convinced that so many of the blessings of God in my own life are the direct result of the faith and faithfulness of my parents and grandparents. Every young man like Solomon must remember that he is building on a foundation that someone else laid. It is a humbling thing when we recall that many came before us and One was before it all.
- God blessed Solomon for Israel’s sake. Here is a key: It was not about Solomon! God was blessing His people and using Solomon to lead them. God doesn’t bless us for us to simply enjoy the blessings; He blesses us to make us a blessing to others. If you are blessed then you should immediately begin to ask the Lord what He intends for you to do with that blessing! It is never just for our own comfort, convenience, and consumption. The blessing of the Lord is bigger than a single life.
- God blessed Solomon for His early humility and initial prayer. God always blesses simple obedience. Listen to his initial prayer: “I am but a child…” (1 Kings 3:7). That childlike dependence and obedience brought the blessing of the Heavenly Father. His request for wisdom opened the door for every other good thing. Sadly, so much of that was forgotten with age. His later pride and fleshliness caused tremendous disruption in his son’s day. He did not leave to others what was left to him. You may be reaping what was sown long ago, but what are you sowing now for the days ahead and for future generations?
- God blessed Solomon for His own sake. This is the most important. The overwhelming blessing upon Solomon was to testify to the Queen of Sheba of the greatness of the Lord. It was to point even heathen people to the true God. Every blessing should point people to the Blesser, every gift a revelation of the Giver. Ultimately, the goal is the glory of God.
Perhaps you have wondered why God blesses certain people. The real question is: why does God bless any of us? I often hear discussions about why bad things happen to good people. The deeper issue is why good things come to bad people! We are all sinners deserving of hell. We must recognize that we are all blessed and likewise remember that we are always unworthy.
The Heavenly Father blesses us for Jesus sake.
It is all the goodness of God. Just like that night of blessing so long ago in my life, ponder the goodness of God in your own life. Allow the reality to warm your heart and melt your coldness. “The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance” (Romans 2:4).
