June 5

Blessings. So much of human desire is embraced in that word. So much hope, so much promise, so much anticipation. Although we who believe realize that the greatest blessings we can hope to enjoy are the things of heaven, not the temporary trappings of earth, we cannot but feel our hearts tug toward realization of temporal fulfillment.

The Lord in His Word seems to nod His head in assent that these longings are not outside His desire to fulfill. In II Chronicles 16:27 we are told, “Honor and majesty are found in His presence; strength and joy are in His sanctuary.” These four words speak to the essence of all for which we long. If we have them, we have it all.

‘Honor’ speaks to the esteem we seek among our fellow men. We want people to hold us in high regard. We strive to earn their admiration through our physical or mental prowess—through the things these attributes accrue to us. Certainly the word ‘majesty’ affirms the financial success we attain and the wonderful things it affords to us. We exercise our innate gifts in order to reap the benefits they make available to us.

‘Strength’ bespeaks the power incumbent with worldly success and ‘joy’ is the emotion in which we yearn to abide with its attainment. The ‘how’ of achieving these things may elude our finite minds, but God shares that secret with us, for He wants us to have them. If we abide in His presence, are found among those who worship Him, we shall find His rich temporal and eternal reward.