Blessing is a “prayer imploring happiness upon another; a prophetic benediction in which happiness is desired, invoked or foretold; a gift, benefit or favor which increases happiness” for another. [Webster]

What does it mean to be blessed by God’s love and to be a blessing to others?

“We bless God for all the blessings He gives us in Christ (Ephesians 1:3), and we are to bless those who mistreat us, because we were called to receive a blessing from God (1 Peter 3:9). The relationship of believers to God, our submission to Him and His gifts toward us, are described in terms of blessing, and indeed, there is no blessing as meaningful or as permanent as our inheritance in Christ (Galatians 3:18; 1 Peter 1:4).” [CT]

Let us look to God’s Word for the meaning of blessing.

B – Blessed are Those Who Trust the Lord

“O Lord of hosts, how blessed and greatly favored is the man who trusts in You [believing in You, relying on You, and committing himself to You with confident hope and expectation.].” ~Psalm 84:12 AMP

“Blessed [happy and sheltered by God’s favor] is everyone who fears the Lord [and worships Him with obedience], who walks in His ways and lives according to His commandments.” ~Psalm 128:1 AMP

L – Lord Bless You

“The Lord bless you, and keep you [protect you, sustain you, and guard you]; the Lord make His face shine upon you [with favor], and be gracious to you [surrounding you with lovingkindness]; the Lord lift up His countenance (face) upon you (with divine approval), and give you peace [a tranquil heart and life].” ~Numbers 6:24-26 AMP

“God be gracious to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us.” ~Psalm 67:1 NASB

“Freely you received, so freely give.” ~Matthew 10:8b WEB

E – Ever Present

“For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there I am in the middle of them.” ~Matthew 18:20 WEB

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” ~James 4:8a WEB

“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble in dread before them, for it is the Lord you God who goes with you. He will not fail you or abandon you.” ~Deuteronomy 31:6 AMP

S – Safely Led

“He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.” ~Psalm 23:2 WEB

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you shall go. I will counsel you with my eye on you.” ~Psalm 32:8 WEB

“The steps of a [good and righteous] man are directed and established by the Lord, and He delights in his way [and blesses his path].” ~Psalm 37:23-24 AMP

“Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.” ~Psalm 119:105 WEB

“Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.” ~Proverbs 3:5-6 AMPC

“But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future].” ~John 16:13 AMPC

S – Securely Planted

“Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in [His} law. On His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that produces its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper.” ~Psalm 1:1-3 WEB

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord. For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit.” ~Jeremiah 17:7-8 NASB

I – Inner Strength

“For this reason [seeing the greatness of this plan by which you are built together in Christ], I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named [that Father from Whom all fatherhood takes its title and derives its name].”

“May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality]. May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts!”

“May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, that you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]; [that you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!” ~Ephesians 3:14-19 AMPC

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” ~Isaiah 41:10 NASB

N – No Lack

“For this cause, we also, since the day we heard this, don’t cease praying and making requests for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, that you may walk worthily of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God, strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, for all endurance and perseverance with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light, who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love, in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins.” ~Colossians 1:9-14 WEB

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” ~Ephesians 1:3 WEB

G – God’s Peace

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” ~Philippians 4:6-8 NASB

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace at all times and in every way [that peace and spiritual well-being that comes to those who walk with Him, regardless of life’s circumstances]. The Lord be with you.” ~2 Thessalonians 3:16 AMP

S – Supply for Needs

“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” ~Philippians 4:19 NASB

“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes].” ~James 1:17 AMP

“And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity.” ~2 Corinthians 9:8 AMP

As we reflect on God’s Word, we see how God answers the question, “What does it mean to be blessed by God’s love and to be a blessing to others?” I pray you will know the Lord’s blessed Presence! May you know His love as you trust Him, as you are led by Him, as you are firmly planted, as you are strengthened, as you experience no lack, as you experience His blessed provision (spirit, soul, body) and live in His peace.

Recommendations:

Renew a Right Spirit within Me Renew A Right Spirit Within Me – Strength with Dignity

5 Ways to be Strong Imitators of Christ 5 Ways to be Strong Imitators of Christ – Strength with Dignity

The Great I AM – 8 Truths of Jesus The Great I AM – 8 Truths of Jesus – Strength with Dignity

References:

Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

Amplified Bible, Classis Edition (AMPC) Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation.

New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB 1995), copyright 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary. Retrieved May 25, 2022, from Websters Dictionary 1828 – Webster’s Dictionary 1828 – Blessing

What is the Biblical definition of a Blessing? What is it to Bless in the Bible? Published by Compelling Truth [CT]. Retrieved May 25, 2022, from What is the biblical definition of a blessing? What is it to bless in the Bible? (compellingtruth.org)