Bibledoorajar focuses on blessedness versus happiness

     We have been looking at the relationship of the bride and the king as described in the Song of Solomon. Last week we spoke of a progression in the relationship that would ultimately lead to a state of mutual devotion. The focus of the book is on the pursuit and how the pursuing is handled. Everyone who has pursued a goal understands the ramifications of the pursuit. Sometimes there is happiness and sometimes there is difficulty. But the goal, if cherished, is still pursued. Many have the mistaken impression that if a relationship is pursued with Christ the result will always be happiness. But the truth is, it does not always bring happiness. And, Christ never promised happiness; He promised blessedness.
     As Christians, we pursue blessedness for us and for our Lord. As we start our days, hopefully, we ask the Lord to bless everything we do. We know there are many things we cannot do by ourselves and we need His help in accomplishing His purposes in our endeavors. This reflects our mutual relationship of blessedness. We speak well of Him when we acknowledge His giving nature and when we allow Him to have His way. He speaks well of us when we trust Him to bring about whatever is best in our lives. Our blessedness does not depend on the circumstances in our lives, but rather upon our relationship with our King and our faith in how He will sustain us.

 I know a bride of Christ who has had a relationship with Him for 53 years. She will tell you that she has not always been happy, but rather that she has always been blessed. Her three children were a source of happiness for her, but one day lightning struck one of her sons. As he lay dying, she fell to her knees and said, "Thy will be done". She was able to speak well of her King even under very unhappy circumstances because grace was present in her heart. Her testimony through the years has been how His strength has blessed her even when unhappy memories overwhelm her. Such is the state of blessedness. We speak well of our groom; He speaks well of us. Jesus put it this way: "Whoever acknowledges me (speaks well of me) in the presence of others I will also acknowledge (speak well of) in the presence of my father in heaven" (Matt. 10:32).  Such conversation on our part, speaks of the emptiness we have allowed Him to fulfill. For our part we have this great reassurance--when Christ speaks, energy is present in our lives ("LET there BE"). Christ has promised us many things, only the first of which is to turn us away from our sins. The apostle Paul says we have been blessed with all spiritual blessings in heaven through Christ. We beseech Him to bless us by being active in our lives knowing that whatever comes, the ultimate promise is to be with Him FOREVER in a state of mutual devotion. That's what's in it for the both of us. And so we sing:

"When He takes me by the hand, and leads me through the Promised Land. What a day, glorious day that will be!"