When we think of the word “blessing” we often think of good things. We are in a state of happiness.
The word “blessing”, as a noun, is defined on dictionary.com as: “a special favor, mercy, or benefit,” or, “a favor or gift bestowed by God, thereby bringing happiness.” So, blessings are equated with happiness.
It is commonly thought that you would be supremely blessed (happy) if you had many possessions, a marriage partner, fame, children, and so on. When you do well and receive a promotion, or you receive an increase in material wealth and possessions, you often think that you have been blessed. It is true that all good things come from God and thus if we have been blessed by God we should give all honour and glory to Him, who gives us life and strength to perform our daily duties.
In the Sermon on the Mount, the word “blessed” comes from the Greek word Makarios, which is the closest word in Greek to our English happy. Makarios appears 50 times in the New Testament.
When Jesus spoke the Sermon on the Mount, He did not say that it was the the elite who are blessed (happy). It is not the rich and powerful who are blessed. It is not the high and mighty who are blessed. It is not the people living in huge mansions who are blessed. Rather, Jesus said it is the lowly, the poor, the hungry, the thirsty, the meek, the persecuted or the mourning, who are blessed (happy).
In the world, the word “blessed” has most often been used to describe the rich, the famous, and the powerful, but Jesus came to inform them that they are wrong. The blessed in His kingdom are those who the world views as at the bottom of humanity.
God is described using the word Makarios by the Apostle Paul to Timothy. “According to the glorious gospel of the blessed [Makarios] God, which was committed to my trust.” 1 Timothy 1:11. “Which in His times He shall show, who is the blessed [Makarios] and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords.” 1 Timothy 6:15. Thus, we can say that God is supremely happy. He is perfect, lives in a beautiful place with the universe at His command. He owns it all. And yet, He is not selfish. He wants to share His happiness with you. He gives you both small and large blessings every day, for the purpose of bringing you happiness. Perhaps the blessings do not come in the way you expect, but He knows best.
All was happiness and blessed in the Garden of Eden until sin entered. And then, even though He had it all, “Jesus did not count heaven a place to be desired while we were lost. He left the heavenly courts for a life of reproach and insult, and a death of shame. He who was rich in heaven’s priceless treasure, became poor, that through His poverty we might be rich.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 417
In order to restore happiness, the plan of salvation was created to bring hope and happiness to lost mankind. The Lord has promised to give you blessings while living on this earth, and He has promised eternal life for those who remain faithful. He wants you to be happy here and now, and throughout eternity.
Every day we are given blessings. When we feel discouraged, we need to do as the song states, “Count your blessings name them one by one., And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.” (See International Hymnal, Song # 539)
We have been given many great blessings such as life, health and strength, food, clothing and a place to live, but what is the greatest blessing? When you think of the word “greatest” it is the best, and there can be nothing better. Think for a moment and ask yourself what you think is the greatest blessing that God has given you.
We will now read of many great blessings that the Lord has given to us while living here on this earth. When you read the following quotes, substitute the word “happiness” in your mind when you see the word “blessing”, and think how the Lord means this experience to bring you happiness. The term, “greatest blessings” is used for many different blessings in the Spirit of Prophecy. There are multiple “greatest blessings” that we can read of; not just one that is the greatest.
Sacrifice of Jesus: Perhaps the greatest blessing we have is the fact that Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for us. He willingly took the punishment and penalty that we deserve. Being innocent, He died a very cruel and horrible death so that we who are guilty could have life. How many contemplate and appreciate this great blessing? It should fill our hearts with joy and gladness every time we think about His great sacrifice. It should make us have no desire to sin.
The purpose of the sacrifice of Jesus was to restore the image of God in man, since it has been marred by sin. Once this image is restored, then the person is prepared to live in the mansions of glory that have been prepared in heaven for the redeemed. “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” Romans 4:7–8. Yes, true happiness is restored once the burden of sin is removed.
“God expects human beings to walk in the light, to testify before angels and before men that they acknowledge Christ as the great propitiation for sin and that they respect His sacrifice as their greatest blessing.” –In Heavenly Places, p. 153
“We are to have free access to the atoning blood of Christ. This we must regard as the most precious privilege, the greatest blessing, ever granted to sinful man. And how little is made of this great gift! How deep, how wide and continuous is this stream! To every soul thirsting after holiness there is repose, there is rest, there is the quickening influence of the Holy Spirit, and then the holy, happy, peaceful walk and precious communion with Christ. Then, oh, then, can we intelligently say with John, ‘Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world.’” –The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 1, p. 1111
Helping Others: Many people in the world like to be served or they work for self alone. They think that having plenty of leisure time will bring them happiness, but this is not true. They are deceived. The real path to happiness is in serving others. Jesus said, “But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.” Luke 14:13–14. “I have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35. Receiving can bring happiness, but giving gives much more happiness. In the time of Jesus, the Pharisees did not like to help the poor, sick and unfortunate. They considered these people cursed of God. Thus they lost a great blessing that was intended for them.
“Like the first is the second commandment—’Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.’ Matthew 22:39. The law of love calls for the devotion of body, mind, and soul to the service of God and our fellow men. And this service, while making us a blessing to others, brings the greatest blessing to ourselves. Unselfishness underlies all true development. Through unselfish service we receive the highest culture of every faculty. More and more fully do we become partakers of the divine nature. We are fitted for heaven, for we receive heaven into our hearts.” –Education, p. 16. In helping others, the greatest blessing (happiness) falls upon the one who is doing the helping.
Trials: “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.” James 1:12. “But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled.” 1 Peter 3:14. “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified.” 1 Peter 4:14
Here we read that happy are they who endure temptation and who suffer for righteousness’ sake. How can this be? The Apostle Paul and Silas had learned to happily endure trials. They sang while sitting in prison. “Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.” Acts 16:24–25. Paul stated, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” 2 Corinthians 5:18. “If Paul, troubled on every side, perplexed, persecuted, could
call his trials light afflictions, of what has the Christian of today to complain? How trifling are our trials in comparison with Paul’s many afflictions! They are not worthy to be compared with the eternal weight of glory awaiting the overcomer. They are God’s workmen, ordained for the perfection of character. However great the deprivation and suffering of the Christian, however dark and inscrutable may seem the way of Providence, he is to rejoice in the Lord, knowing that all is working for his good.” –The Review and Herald, May 6, 1902
“Those things which seem to the Christian most grievous to be borne often prove his greatest blessing. Reproach and falsehood have ever followed those who were faithful in the discharge of duty. A righteous character, though blackened in reputation by slander and falsehood, will preserve the purity of its virtue and excellence. Trampled in the mire, or exalted to heaven, the Christian’s life should be the same, and the proud consciousness of innocence is its own reward. The persecution of enemies tests the foundation upon which the reputation really rests. . . . God will finally vindicate the right, honor the guiltless, and hide them in the secret of His pavilion from the strife of tongues.” –Spiritual Gifts, vol. 2, p. 212–213
“Supposed difficulties that seemed so large at a distance as to be unbearable, have proved to be the greatest blessings. When oppressed, light from heaven has come in clear rays, and the realities of the promise of the sufficiency of Christ is a continual strength and defense. . . . To every soul who meets difficulties in the strength of Jesus and is not overcome, who faces enemies and opposers, and in the strength of Christ stands firmly, who undertakes and discharges duties in the meekness of wisdom, not calculating the results, knowing that none of these things can be met in human strength, his experience becomes knowledge that Christ is faithful that hath promised. . . . Although he may be enclosed in prison walls he may believe it is for the truth’s sake. Jesus is by his side. We are not to be rash, bold, presumptuous, defiant. In Jesus we may trust; having faith in His power to save, we may be conquerors.” –The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, p. 492–493
“God, in His great love, is seeking to develop in us the precious graces of His Spirit. He permits us to encounter obstacles, persecution, and hardships, not as a curse, but as the greatest blessing of our lives. Every temptation resisted, every trial bravely borne, gives us a new experience, and advances us in the work of character building. The soul that through divine power resists temptation, reveals to the world and to the heavenly universe the efficiency of the grace of Christ.” –Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 117
Discipline: Closely related to trials is discipline. The purpose of discipline is to bring one back to the straight and narrow way. Back to obedience when they are disobeying and sometimes it requires trials. Thus discipline for some seems grievous. If correction is not heeded though, the correction may become stronger, much to the dislike of the wayward.
The truth is, children who receive no discipline are not truly happy. They have no guidelines for proper living. Discipline is not always pleasant, but it brings happy results. Children who receive Christian discipline love their parents and have learned to love Jesus. They are blessed and happy.
The Lord disciplines His children also. “It is for our present happiness and our future good that God subjects us to discipline. The greatest blessing that His children have is the discipline that He sends them. He never leads them otherwise than they would choose to be led if they could see the end from the beginning and discern the glory of the purpose that they are fulfilling, as workers together with Him.” –This Day With God, p. 122
Law: “Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” Luke 11:28. “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:25
Along with discipline, comes the law. Without a law, there would not be a need for discipline. A law can be the greatest blessing, but it can be a great curse to those who choose not to obey it. Satan’s original accusation against God was that there was no need for the law. His claim was that the angels knew right from wrong without the need of a law. The law was just a burden. Many today view the Law of God as a yoke of bondage and believe it has been done away with. Sad.
“‘What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.’ But that which would have been their greatest blessing became their condemnation, because they were disobedient, unthankful, unholy.” –The Review and Herald, July 17, 1900. “The greatest blessing bestowed upon the world is the privilege of understanding the oracles of God. The word of God should not be a dead letter to us, but spirit and life; for through the truth we are to be sanctified.” –The Signs of the Times, April 6, 1891
Prayer: Prayer connects fallen man to the most powerful Being in the universe. Prayer has power to move mountains (Matthew 17:20). In the Bible we can read how prayer stopped the mouths of lions (Daniel 6) and stopped the sun in its course in the heavens (Joshua 10:12–14). Prayer can change the heart of man from a heart of stone to a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26). Thus if we follow the command to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), we can move forward and face any circumstance the evil one may bring against us. “If God be for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31
“To neglect the duty of praying with our children is to lose one of the greatest blessings within our reach, one of the greatest helps amid the perplexities, cares, and burdens of our lifework.” –The Adventist Home, p. 266. “The greatest blessing that God can give to man is the spirit of earnest prayer. All heaven is open before the man of prayer. . . .The ambassadors of Christ will have power with the people after they have, with earnest supplication, come before God.” –Review and Herald, October 20, 1896. Happy are those who are daily communing with Jesus, moment by moment.
Work: How few people actually enjoy work. Many find work tedious and cannot wait to finish their work so that they can spend more time in rest and pleasure. After the fall, Adam was told, “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread.” Genesis 3:19. The land would not always yield the best, and thorns and thistles would arise. This work was meant as a much needed discipline that was to be a great blessing. It was meant to bring mankind happiness through honest labour, whereas idleness results in evil and corruption as seen in history in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
“I have been shown that much sin has resulted from idleness. Active hands and minds do not find time to heed every temptation which the enemy suggests, but idle hands and brains are all ready for Satan to control. The mind, when not properly occupied, dwells upon improper things. Parents should teach their children that idleness is sin.” –The Adventist Home, p. 284
“Industry is the greatest blessing that men, women, and children can have.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 97
Holy Spirit: When Jesus went to heaven the disciples were disheartened, so Jesus promised to send them the Comforter. He then told them what the Comforter would do. The Comforter “will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” John 16:8. “He will guide you into all truth.” John 16:13. Praise the Lord. This is where comfort (happiness) is found—reproof of sin and being led into the truth. Jesus said, “the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32. What is truth and true freedom? It is being set free from the burden of sin. Unfortunately many love their sin and do not want this freedom.
“I beseech the members of every church to seek now for the greatest blessing Heaven can bestow–the Holy Spirit. If in faith you seek for a greater measure of God’s Spirit, you will be constantly taking it in and breathing it out. Daily you will receive a fresh supply. Your everyday experience will be enriched by the rich current of God’s love.” –The Upward Look, p. 143. The guidance of the Holy Spirit is needed every moment of our lives. We should pray daily for the Holy Spirit’s direction.
Knowledge of Self: The Holy Spirit gives one a knowledge of themselves. Not many have a knowledge of self. Many think they are good, and on the way to heaven, but are sadly deceived. One of the duties of the Holy Spirit is to “reprove the world of sin.” He can use church leaders and pastors. He also uses our fellow members, family members, co-workers and friends. When reproved of wrong, rather than accepting the reproof in humility, some make excuses to try to justify themselves. “These are precious opportunities that we are enjoying. Jesus is present with us today; for He has promised, ‘Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.’ His presence insures a blessing; but blessings do not always consist in a happy flight of feeling. The greatest blessing we can have is a correct knowledge of ourselves, that we may see our defects of character, and by divine grace remedy them.” –The Signs of the Times, May 22, 1884
Speech: Speech can be one of the greatest blessings or it can be one of the greatest curses. “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew 12:37
To prevent using speech as a curse, it is very necessary to have the Holy Spirit. “Of all the gifts which God has given to man, none is more noble or a greater blessing than the gift of speech, if it is sanctified by the Holy Spirit. It is with the tongue we convince and persuade; with it we offer prayer and praise to God; and with it we convey rich thoughts of the Redeemer’s love.” –Testimonies to Ministers, p. 316–317. Misuse of this blessing has separated friends and family and have even started wars. Making good use of this talent can bring blessings and joy to the giver and to the receiver.
Night: Interesting how night is considered one of the greatest blessings God has given to humanity. “God has
given us night as one of His greatest blessings, bringing quiet and repose to overworked bodies and minds. We cannot prosecute any labor, however interesting and essential, without periods of rest, when the human machinery shall stand still. When the hour of retirement comes, we should yield to nature’s sweet restorer. If her claims are not obeyed, if the hours of sleep are abridged, the result will be weariness and want of every power. God has not constituted men to pursue one round of either labor or enjoyment.” Taken from a pamphlet by Ellen G. White, called The Judgment, p. 38–39
Many stay up all hours of the night needlessly, for selfish reasons. Satan has perverted God’s order. Many evil deeds are done in the darkness of the night. However, the Lord does not want His children to overwork themselves even in His vineyard by staying up all hours of the night every night. Yes, Jesus spent many nights in prayer, but His prayers were not for selfish purposes; He prayed for the good of humanity. If you need to work nights, make sure that there is sufficient time for rest in between.
There are other areas of greatest blessings that you can read of in the Spirit of Prophecy if you want to do more research. I have just brought out a few. Some of these the world does not view as blessings and they do not appreciate them (hard work, law, trials etc.). The world has it all backwards. The kingdom of God is made up of meek, quiet individuals, who will be restored into the image of God by the refining process and experiences of life that the Lord is leading them through. They will be patient and appreciative of His leading and use every blessing that heaven has provided.
In closing, please read the following quote slowly and carefully. “The greatest light and blessing that God has bestowed is not a security against transgression and apostasy in these last days. Those whom God has exalted to high positions of trust may turn from heaven’s light to human wisdom. Their light will then become darkness, their God-entrusted capabilities a snare, their character an offense to God. God will not be mocked. A departure from Him has been and always will be followed by its sure results.” –Manuscript Releases, vol. 7, p. 186
Unless we accept the blessings from the Lord and use them wisely we can lose our happiness. One of Satan’s greatest temptations is to keep one so busy and occupied that they have little time for spiritual pursuits and missionary work. Even if the deeds are not evil in themselves, if it takes away from our time of worship, it is a problem. “If Satan can keep the human agent intoxicated with worldly ambition and worldly plans, he is well pleased. We deprive ourselves of the greatest blessings by failing to cooperate with our Redeemer in seeking to raise the fallen race, by failing to be God’s helping hand in the restoration of humanity.” –Manuscript Releases, vol. 19, p. 143
What is the greatest blessing you can give to Jesus in return for all the blessings He has given you? Your heart, your life, your service—your all. Even though you are considered “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6), and your “heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9), God sees great value in you. He will be very happy with your sacrifice. In everything you are and everything you possess He values. The Lord is refining you in the furnace of affliction because He sees beauty and potential in you. Never forget how much the Lord suffered for your salvation. Much more than we will ever be asked to suffer. Rejoice!
What the world sees as the greatest blessings could, in reality, be the greatest curse (fame, wealth, etc.) and many people are not happy. There is much depression, greed and corruption apart from God. Just trust God to lead you day by day and count your blessings. In all your experiences of life God has a blessing (happiness) for you.
“And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” Revelation 19:9. “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection:” Revelation 20:6. This is the utmost greatest blessing promised to the redeemed in the future which we are all looking forward to sharing in. I know I will be supremely happy if I have a part in the first resurrection as opposed to the second and find myself seated at the great table in heaven for the marriage supper of the Lamb. I hope to see you there. Amen.
Wendy Eaton