Blessed Be…

 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Blessing is like thanking, but more.  It is an offering of goodwill, an offering of joy and praise, an offering of celebration.

 

A blessing, to bless, to offer a blessing, is "religious gift-giving".  The blessing might be confused with ‘grace’ said over a meal, but it is different.  Blessings come from God.  At first glance, it might seem counter intuitive to be blessing God. 

 

Examples may help.  Jesus is a blessing from God.  Salvation is a blessing from Jesus.  Hope in Jesus is a blessing from the Holy Spirit.  My wife is a blessing to me.  My kids are blessings to me.  The act of reflecting on the blessings of life can make someone realize again just how much they have been…well…blessed.
A blessing is not limited to who can deliver it.  As a pastor, I have been asked to bless a number of things, to add God’s blessing as His annoying henchman, as his minister.  A blessing can be a person, a thing, it can be a short devotional phrase, it can be anything that brings with it benefit to those who receive it.  In turn, it can be delivered by any whose intention is sincere.

Blessing God, blessing He who has everything is…is it even possible?  But, on the other hand, is it not the most natural act in the world?  According to the Westminster Catechism, a foundational teaching document of the church, the highest reason for our being here is “to glorify God and fully enjoy God forever.”  To bless God, as Peter is doing, is to offer God our goodwill, our joy and praise, our offering of celebration, or, to glorify Him.  And the blessing we receive in return is to enjoy God forever.