Living with God's Blessings
Jesus established both covenant and blessing relationship with his followers. Jesus understood covenant as a contract between two parties. Jesus had to do his part so we could do ours. Even before he is born we can see this Covenant spoken of when Zechariah the father of John the Baptist prophesied that "The Lord has come...to remember his covenant." Luke 1.28,72 God had promised in the past, now he was delivering what he had promised. As Jesus was preparing to die he took a cup of wine, held it up for the disciples to see and said, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." Matthew 26.28 Jesus knew that God was establishing a covenant or contract that would make it possible to restore fellowship between Him and his creation. Knowing this was the ultimate goal of God, Jesus taught his disciples to pray for the blessing that God would provide to those who accepted this covenant contract. We see it in Deuteronomy 28.2 where it says "All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God:" That is why Jesus taught his disciples that they could "receive whatever [they] ask for in prayer." Matthew 21.22
In the Old Testament we find that God would promise to bless those who followed and obeyed and would also promise to curse or punish those who strayed and disobeyed. An excellent example of this can be found in Deuteronomy the 28th Chapter. There in the first 13 verses is located the blessing section. What is so remarkable is that this section carries the same qualities that Jesus laid out in the prayer he taught his disciples in Matthew 6.9-13.
“This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one. ’NIV
There are seven parts to this prayer that is both covenant and blessings. If we compare this prayer to Deuteronomy 28 we will see how it has always been God's plan to bless his people. Jesus taught his disciples to pray for blessings and be obedient to their God.
1.
Our father in heaven: This is about RELATIONSHIP.
In this relationship God wants to bless us as his children that is why Deuteronomy 28 is filled with two key phrases. The first is about all the blessings and the second is about all the Lord will do. We are God’s children and we like the Hebrew children are promised that “All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God:” Blessings are promised to those who maintain the covenant and obey God.
Holy be your name: This is our RESPONSIBILITY
“The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in his ways.” Deuteronomy 28.9 We are to be a holy people because we represent a holy God. We cannot take this responsibility lightly. God will only be represented by holy and pure people and that is part of his contract or covenant with us.
Your Kingdom come, your will be done: Is about constant surrender
“If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.” Deuteronomy 28.1 We are to be following God and God’s plan, that requires that we be in a constant attitude of seeking the will of God and avoiding our own plans. To discover what God wants us to do is the chief goal of every believer.
Give us today our daily bread: Is about blessings
Our daily needs are always part of God’s plans. “The LORD will send a blessing…” Deuteronomy 28.8 In fact a blessing is promised ten times in Deuteronomy 28.1-13 in the blessing section. This is a benefit we get for following God. We are promised that “The LORD will open the heavens…” Deuteronomy 28.12 so that he can bless us. We need to remember to be thankful. The Hebrews in the wilderness got water, manna, quail and more and did not see it as part of the blessing, because of that the lost everything.
Forgive us our debts: It is about being honest
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” Galatians 5.1 When we sin we are slaves to sin and responsible for our own lives without any help from God. When we call upon the forgiveness of God provided through the blood of Jesus we discover freedom and a relationship filled with blessings and benefits. This requires that we are honest with God and with ourselves about who we are and what we have done. Honesty is NOT the best policy when it comes to God; it is the ONLY policy He will accept. When we are honest it is then we discover that God wants to grant to us “abundant prosperity-” Deuteronomy 28.11.
As we also forgive our debtors: It is about being positive
We are to be a positive force in a negative world of Sin. We need to remember that we represent God and his forgiveness. When non-believer see us they should see the effects and the presence of God. God has said “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” 2 Corinthians 6.16b It is not our job to judge the world, God will do that in time, it is our privilege to share the good news (gospel) of Jesus with a lost and suffering world. “Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD…” Deuteronomy 28.10
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one: It is powerful
We as God’s people are to follow the narrow path that leads to eternal life. All around us are those who would help us find another way. We pray for protection and guidance, we pray for the powerful hand of God to guide and protect us. As God’s covenant people we know “The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.” Deuteronomy 28.7
Jesus taught his disciples to pray as members in covenant contract with God. He taught them to pray for blessings as children of God. This is also how Jesus wants us to pray.
Here is a simple exercise to improve your prayer life. There are seven points that are covered here. Make sure that you include at least one of these every day when you pray. Make sure that you are taking time to meditate and to hear from God when you are looking at each of these. The prayer Jesus taught his disciples is more than words to be repeated, it is a promise to those of the covenant of his blood that they will be blessed by God.
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