In a spiritual sense, the word blessing means God’s approval. How can we receive God’s blessing?
After wronging his brother, Jacob did everything he could to atone for the wrong. (Read Genesis 32:3–5, 13–21.) Jacob also realized that God had directed him thus far in his life and had led him to the point where he was. (Genesis 32:9.) He recognized that he was unworthy of God’s favor and mercies and that God had blessed him with property and possessions. (Genesis 32:10.) He thanked God for what He had done for him, and he asked God for deliverance from the situation and claimed God’s promises. (Genesis 32:11, 9, 12.)
“Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” “What shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and [of] Barak, and [of] Samson, and [of] Jephthae; [of] David also, and Samuel, and [of] the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.” Genesis 32:28; Hebrews 11:32–34. Jacob’s strength was in God, not in himself.
“In surrendering ourselves to God, we reap great advantages; for if we have weaknesses of character, as we all have, we unite ourselves to One who is mighty to save. Our ignorance will be united to infinite wisdom, our frailty to enduring might, and, like Jacob, we may each become a prince with God. Connected with the Lord God of Israel, we shall have power from above which will enable us to be overcomers; and by the impartation of divine love, we shall find access to the hearts of men.” Fundamentals of Christian Education, 232.
New Name and Blessing
As we read earlier in Genesis 32:28, Jacob received a new name. His name, Jacob, means heel grabber or supplanter. I dare say he did not appreciate the meaning of his name! The new name he was given represented that his character had now changed. He was no longer the same person that he had been.
The blessing Jacob, now known as Israel, received from God came after the conflict was past. (Genesis 32:29.) Peace comes after or through conflict.
“Jacob specified no particular thing for the Lord to bestow upon him; he sought only a blessing; he knew that the Lord would give him a blessing appropriate to meet the necessities of the case at that time. God blessed him then and there; and on the field of conflict he was made a prince among men. Thus will it be with the agonized ones who prevail with God in the time of Jacob’s trouble.” The Signs of the Times, November 27, 1879.
“Jacob had received the blessing for which his soul had longed. His sin as a supplanter and deceiver had been pardoned. The crisis in his life was past. Doubt, perplexity, and remorse had embittered his existence, but now all was changed; and sweet was the peace of reconciliation with God. Jacob no longer feared to meet his brother. God, who had forgiven his sin, could move the heart of Esau also to accept his humiliation and repentance.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 198.
“The Lord permits conflicts, to prepare the soul for peace.” The Great Controversy, 633.
“Peace comes when the conflict has been met and sustained, through the help and power obtained from Jesus Christ.” Review and Herald, September 11, 1888.
“In this life we must meet fiery trials and make costly sacrifices, but the peace of Christ is the reward.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 215.
After the conflict, God worked on behalf of Jacob and softened Esau’s heart to receive him. (Genesis 33:4.)
How to Receive
We need to ask daily for God’s blessing in our lives above what we wish for or want. God’s blessing in our lives is worth more than our way without His blessing. And just think, when we do not try to tell God what blessing we desire or want for that day, we leave ourselves open to His bountiful blessings—more than we could ever imagine!
Following are statements from the writings of Ellen White that tell us how to receive God’s blessing and what are some possible results from God’s blessing.
“The end of all things is at hand. Are we ready to meet Christ when He shall appear? Will He say to us, ‘Come, ye blessed of My Father; enter into the city’? [Matthew 25:34.] When we see the great reward that is in store for the faithful, how our hearts should reach out after others, that they may receive the light. You know not how many hearts are really thirsting for the waters of life, but here is the Bible to open before them. Will you do it? Will you act like men and women that expect the Lord to come? Will you have living faith, and pray as never before? Will you wrestle with God as Jacob wrestled with Him—‘I will not let Thee go except Thou bless me’? [Genesis 32:26.] And when His blessing rests upon you, you will be anxious to have others receive it.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 19, 139.
“We can do nothing without the help of God. The Spirit of God must work with our efforts, and if God’s blessing attends us, we shall be channels of light. The Lord is willing to give us all an experience, which, if improved, will bring us from the lowlands of earth into close, heavenly relationship with God, and every fiber of selfishness will be uprooted from our natures.” Reflecting Christ, 205.
“The blessing of God is a precious gift, and it is to be counted of such worth that it will not be surrendered at any cost. The blessing of God maketh rich, and it addeth no sorrow.” Fundamentals of Christian Education, 232.
“When difficulties and trials surround us, we should flee to God, and confidently expect help from Him who is mighty to save and strong to deliver. We must ask for God’s blessing if we would receive it. Prayer is a duty and a necessity; but do we not neglect praise? Should we not oftener render thanksgiving to the Giver of all our blessings? We need to cultivate gratitude. We should frequently contemplate and recount the mercies of God, and laud and glorify His holy name, even when we are passing through sorrow and affliction….
“The Lord’s merciful kindness is great toward us. He will never leave nor forsake those who trust in Him. If we would think and talk less of our trials, and more of the mercy and goodness of God, we would find ourselves raised above much of our gloom and perplexity. My brethren and sisters, you who feel that you are entering upon a dark path, and like the captives in Babylon must hang your harps upon the willows, let us make trial of cheerful song. You may say, How can I sing, with this dark prospect before me, with this burden of sorrow and bereavement upon my soul? But have earthly sorrows deprived us of the all-powerful Friend we have in Jesus? Should not the marvelous love of God in the gift of His dear Son be a theme of continual rejoicing? When we bring our petitions to the throne of grace, let us not forget to offer also anthems of thanksgiving. ‘Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me.’ Psalm 50:23. As long as our Saviour lives, we have cause for unceasing gratitude and praise.” Selected Messages, Book 2, 268, 269.
“Let us confess our sins, and let us be sure that we go to the bottom, and make thorough work for repentance. Will you do this? Will you prepare the way for God to bless you? Shall we not see of the salvation of God in this meeting? We may see it; we may have it. Let us not do anything that will hinder it from coming to us.” The General Conference Bulletin, April 2, 1903.
“A sense of the gratitude due to God will lead him to improve every opportunity for expressing thanksgiving, which will be accepted as a testimony of loyalty. Faithfulness toward God in the performance of good works will bring God’s blessing. As we show ourselves faithful in fulfilling our trust, our influence leads others to do likewise. They are filled with thanksgiving and praise to God as the one to whom praise is due. Those who are not with us in the faith are given a practical evidence of the power of the truth to sanctify the naturally selfish heart.” Review and Herald, September 19, 1899.
“If we desire to have God’s blessing, we must practice Christ’s self-denial and self-sacrifice. Study the Word of God. Walk and work as Christ walked and worked. Men must put away the ambitious schemes which have puffed them up and exalted them in their own estimation, when they should always keep humble. Let those who desire to follow a course of action which represents the life of Christ, hear His words, ‘He that will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.’ [Luke 9:23.]” Battle Creek Letters, 38.
“The deepest poverty, with God’s blessing, is better than houses and lands, and any amount of earthly treasure, without it. God’s blessing places value on everything we possess; but if we have the whole world without his blessing we are indeed as poor as the beggar, for we can take nothing with us into the next world.” The Signs of the Times, April 1, 1875.
“We have a wise, loving heavenly Father, who hears the prayers of His children. But He does not always give them what they desire. He withholds that which He sees would not be for their good. But He bestows on them all that they need. He gives them that which is necessary for growth in grace. When we pray, we should say, ‘Lord, if what I ask for is for my good, give it to me; but if it is not, withhold it, but give me Thy blessings.’ The Lord hears our petitions; He understands our situation, and He will supply the very thing we need. He will strengthen our faith and increase our spirituality. The Lord is good and merciful, perfect in understanding and infinite in wisdom.
“There are those who pray for temporal blessings which they think will bring them worldly prosperity. God sees that such blessings would spoil their spiritual life. He gives them an understanding mind, showing them that it is not best for them to have riches, and that they must be satisfied with His grace and peace and love.” The Upward Look, 369.
Above all things in this life is to have God’s blessing in our lives that we may do what is pleasing to Him.
[All emphasis added.]
A Network Engineer, Jana Grosboll lives near Derby, Kansas. She may be contacted by e-mail at: janawwjd@yahoo.com