This blog unpacks Pastor Caleb Culver’s Sermon from December 15, 2024

What does it truly mean to be blessed by God?

LET'S BREAK IT DOWN:

In its rawest form, blessing is about shared life for fruitfulness. It's not just about nice words or pleasant circumstances. The Hebrew word for blessing, "barak," paints a vivid picture of God kneeling down, imparting His strength to us, and then speaking words of empowerment over us.

This blessing isn't meant to end with us: It's designed to flow through us to others.

Consider the first blessing in Scripture, given to animals and then to mankind in Genesis. God didn't just say, "Have a great life!" Instead, He blessed them to be fruitful and multiply.

Here's a challenging question: Do you interpret God's blessings through your circumstances or your circumstances through God's blessings?

The story of Zechariah in Luke 1 paints a picture of this mindset. When an angel appeared to him with the promise of a son—an answer to years of prayer—Zechariah responded with doubt. His disappointment clouded his ability to accept and fully trust in God's blessing. As a result, he was struck mute until he could align his heart with God's promise.

Blessing begins with sight. Before we can speak a blessing, we must see things as God sees them. In Genesis 1, we witness God creating humanity and declaring it "very good." This wasn't just a casual compliment but a profound recognition that His creation is perfectly aligned with His character of goodness.

The enemy works tirelessly to distort this truth, but it remains: God looks at you and says, "You are good."

You are not a mistake, an accident, or an afterthought.

The breath of life that God breathed into Adam and Eve still lives inside of you through His Spirit.

Understanding blessing also requires us to understand the nature of curses. If blessing releases freedom, intimacy, and life, a curse inflicts captivity, isolation, and death.

However, it's crucial to note that in Genesis when God cursed the serpent and the ground, He did not curse Adam and Eve. The blessing He spoke over them remained intact.

This contradicts the concept that God is eagerly waiting to punish us for our mistakes. Instead, we learn that curses often result from turning away from God and walking in the fruit of our own decisions.

The story of Cain and Abel further illustrates this point. When God didn't regard Cain's offering, it wasn't God’s face that turned away—it was Cain's. God pursued Cain, urging him not to let sin crouch at his door. The curse came not from God's punishment but from Cain turning away from God's favor.

We struggle to believe that God's delight in us is based on His love, not our performance. Shame tells us to turn our faces away, convinced we'll see an angry Father. But the truth is, God's face remains turned towards us, smiling with unconditional love.

The Aaronic blessing in Numbers 6 beautifully captures this truth:

"The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you;

The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace."

This blessing isn't a conditional declaration but an unconditional truth of the Father's face turned toward us.

The question isn't whether God is smiling; it's whether we're turned toward His smile.

Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on this sermon:

Day 1: Seeing Through God's Eyes

Reading: Genesis 1:26-31

Devotional: Today, we focus on how God sees us. In Genesis, after creating humans, God declared His creation "very good." This wasn't just a casual observation—it was a profound statement of value and purpose. God sees you as His masterpiece, crafted with intention and love. Today, challenge yourself to see yourself through God's eyes. When you look in the mirror, remind yourself: "I am very good because God made me." How might your day change if you truly believed this? Pray for God to help you see yourself and others as He does—with love, purpose, and delight.

Day 2: The Power of Blessing

Reading: Numbers 6:22-27

Devotional: The Aaronic blessing reminds us of God's desire to bless His people. This blessing isn't about material prosperity, but about God's presence, protection, and peace. Reflect on each phrase: "The Lord bless you and keep you..." How does it feel to know God wants to shine His face upon you? Today, practice being a conduit of blessing. Speak words of life and encouragement to those around you. Remember, true blessing begins with truly seeing others as God sees them. Who in your life needs to hear words of blessing today?

Day 3: Turning Towards God's Face

Reading: Luke 15:11-24

Devotional: The story of Cain teaches us about the danger of turning away from God's face. But the parable of the Prodigal Son shows us the Father's heart when we turn back. No matter how far we've strayed, God's face is always turned towards us, waiting with open arms. Today, if there are areas where you've turned away from God due to shame, guilt, or disappointment, take a step towards Him. Remember, it's not about your performance, but about His unchanging love. What might it look like for you to "turn your face" back to God today?

Day 4: Christ as the Face of God

Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:6-7

Devotional: Paul tells us that the glory of God is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the ultimate expression of God's blessing and favor towards humanity. In times of doubt or difficulty, we can look to Jesus to see God's heart for us. Today, spend some time meditating on the life of Jesus. How does His compassion, sacrifice, and resurrection reveal God's love for you? Thank God for making His love tangible through Christ, and ask Him to help you reflect that love to others.

Day 5: Living Under God's Smile

Reading: Romans 8:31-39

Devotional: Today's passage reminds us that nothing can separate us from God's love. This is the ultimate assurance—God's favor isn't based on our circumstances or performance, but on His unchanging character. Reflect on times when you've interpreted difficult circumstances as God turning His face away. How might those situations look different if viewed through the lens of God's unwavering love? Today, practice "living under God's smile." Whatever challenges you face, remind yourself: "God is for me, not against me." How does this change your approach to the day?