The Blessing

When 2020 started, no one could have anticipated the isolation and division that the year would bring. 

Several weeks ago, I stumbled across the UK Blessing in my Facebook feed and on a whim clicked the link. What I was ready to dismiss as Christian click bait gave me goosebumps as I paused and reflected on what this video represented. While the song is not theologically dense, it presents some clear truths about our God. 

God is sovereign.

When life seems completely out of our control, it is humbling to remember that God is in total control. Throughout Scripture, we are reminded that our God is the powerful creator and sustainer of all things.  

God’s blessings endure.

We are daily beneficiaries of God’s grace and blessings. As Christians, we are given the blessing of adoption into God’s family.

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.” (Ephesians 2: 19-21)

With this comes the blessing of coming to Him in prayer, casting our concerns upon Him and finding peace in Him. 

“Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God” (Psalm 146:5)

While those who have not put their faith in Christ do not have access to these blessings, our God does bless unbelievers through daily common graces, providing witness to who He is through the works of creation. 

“In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” (Acts 14:16-17)

We have unity in Christ.

Since my first viewing of the UK Blessing, I have watched videos of this same blessing from around the globe, with different races, nationalities and languages united under the truths of our God. As we see the deep social divisions within our society, I find hope in the healing power of the cross. At the cross, God unites us as His children and makes us brothers and sisters with those on the south side of Columbus and throughout the far reaches of the world. This video reminded me that in the years since Jesus instructed His disciples to “go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15) the church has grown and multiplied to include a rich diversity of people who are united in Christ.

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.” (Galatians 3:28-29)

As the church we are called to be a blessing to those around us.

We should fervently pray for those around us, that God would protect them through the trials of life, but more importantly that He would call each one of them into a life saving relationship with Him.