Beyond Hustle and Bustle: 4 Ways of Finding God’s Lasting Blessings

Beyond Hustle and Bustle: Finding God’s Lasting Blessings

Introduction

In a world where hustle and bustle are often seen as the keys to success, it’s easy to forget that God’s ways are not our ways.

While we strive to achieve greatness through our own efforts, Finding God’s lasting blessings is for those who prioritize their relationship with Him.

In this message, we’ll explore biblical examples that demonstrate the importance of seeking God’s presence and trust over worldly pursuits.

The Difference Between Blessing and Lasting Blessings

The concepts of blessing and lasting blessings, though related, differ significantly in their nature and impact.

A blessing often refers to a positive outcome or favor granted in a specific moment.

It can be a material gift, a fleeting success, or an immediate relief from hardship.

For instance, receiving a promotion at work or finding a solution to a pressing problem can be seen as blessings.

They bring joy and gratitude, but their impact might be temporary or subject to change based on circumstances.

In contrast, lasting blessings go beyond momentary benefits to provide enduring value and spiritual enrichment.

They are deeper and more permanent, rooted in a relationship with God and characterized by a profound sense of peace, purpose, and fulfillment.

Lasting blessings often come from living in alignment with divine principles, cultivating virtues such as faith, love, and patience.

They contribute to a lasting sense of well-being and stability that endures through life’s fluctuations.

For example, the peace and contentment derived from a steadfast relationship with God and the wisdom gained through spiritual growth are lasting blessings.

They offer a foundation that remains unshaken despite external changes, providing continual strength and joy.

Thus, while blessings are valuable and appreciated, finding God’s lasting blessings provide enduring fulfillment and spiritual richness that transcend temporary circumstances.

The Best Path: Sitting at Jesus’ Feet

In Luke 10:38-42, we read about a poignant moment in the home of Martha and Mary.

As Jesus visits their house, Martha becomes preoccupied with the demands of preparing and serving, while Mary chooses a different path.

Instead of engaging in the chores, Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, attentively listening to His teachings.

Martha, feeling overwhelmed and perhaps a bit frustrated, approaches Jesus and asks Him to tell Mary to help her with the work.

Jesus’ response is both gentle and profound: “Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42).

By saying this, Jesus highlights the importance of prioritizing spiritual nourishment over worldly tasks.

Mary’s choice to sit at Jesus’ feet symbolizes a deliberate decision to seek wisdom and connection with Him.

Jesus underscores that while Martha’s work is important, Mary’s focus on learning from Him is the superior path.

This moment teaches us that in our busy lives, choosing to center ourselves around Jesus’ teachings is a path to finding God’s lasting blessings and a deeper, lasting fulfillment.

The Blessings of Quiet Trust: Jacob and Esau

In Genesis 25:27-34, the contrasting lives of Esau and Jacob provide profound insights into different approaches to life and faith.

Esau, a skilled hunter, symbolized human strength, self-sufficiency, and a reliance on his own abilities.

His confidence in his skills and accomplishments was evident, as he embodied a robust, action-oriented mindset.

In contrast, Jacob was described as a quiet, unassuming man, often overlooked and underestimated. Lacking the overt strengths and charisma of his brother, Jacob’s presence seemed less remarkable.

However, this disparity in outward qualities highlighted a deeper spiritual truth. Jacob’s story took a surprising turn when he received the blessing from their father, Isaac, despite Esau’s apparent advantages.

This blessing was not due to Jacob’s worldly accomplishments but was a testament to his quiet trust and dependence on God. Unlike Esau, who relied on his personal prowess,

Jacob’s faith in God’s sovereignty and divine plan positioned him to receive the promise that would reshape his life and legacy.

Jacob’s experience illustrates that finding God’s lasting blessings often arises from a place of deep, quiet trust in God’s providence rather than from external strength or success.

His life underscores that God values faith and reliance on Him above human achievement.

The Anointed King: David’s Story

David’s rise from a humble shepherd to the anointed king of Israel provides a compelling narrative that echoes the theme of quiet trust.

In 1 Samuel 16, we see God choosing David, the youngest son of Jesse, to be king, despite his seemingly insignificant status among his brothers. Unlike the impressive stature of King Saul,

David was anointed by God not for his external qualities but for his heart—a heart that was deeply devoted to God.

David’s journey was marked by trials and tribulations, including his flight from King Saul, who viewed David as a threat to his throne.

Throughout these challenges, David’s faith in God remained steadfast.

His trust in God’s promises and his commitment to God’s will were evident in his actions and prayers.

Despite numerous opportunities to seize the throne through his own efforts or manipulation,

David chose to wait on God’s timing, demonstrating his reliance on divine guidance rather than his own strength.

David’s story illustrates that true leadership and finding God’s lasting blessings come from a heart aligned with God’s purposes.

His life underscores the power of quiet trust in shaping one’s destiny, affirming that God honors those who depend on Him rather than their own abilities.

God’s Blessings: Not for the Swift or Strong

As we reflect on these biblical examples, we discover that God’s lasting blessings are bestowed upon those who:

• Prioritize their relationship with Him, seeking intimacy and communion
• Trust in His sovereignty, acknowledging His authority and control
• Seek His presence and teachings, hungering for spiritual growth
• Depend on His strength, recognizing their limitations and need for divine empowerment

These principles remind us that God’s ways are not our ways, and His blessings often defy human expectations.

By embracing quiet trust and dependence on God is one sure way of finding God’s lasting blessings and victory in our lives.

In a world that celebrates human strength, self-sufficiency, and accomplishments, these stories challenge us to reevaluate our priorities and trust in God’s sovereignty.

May we learn to quiet our hearts, trust in His ways, and depend on His strength, that we may receive His lasting blessings and experience victory in our lives.

Keeping faith when God seems silent can be a daunting challenge.

In those moments, it’s essential to remember that God’s silence doesn’t mean He’s absent.

Joseph, in the Bible, waited years for God’s promise to be fulfilled, facing slavery, imprisonment, and false accusations.

Yet, he remained faithful, trusting God’s sovereignty. Similarly, we must hold onto God’s promises, even when His silence is deafening.

We must choose to trust His character, His goodness, and His love.

In the stillness, we can find strength, learning to wait, pray, and seek His presence, even when His voice is quiet.

CONCLUSION

In a world that celebrates hustle and bustle, let us remember that God’s ways are different.

While hard work is important, it is not the key to finding God’s lasting blessings. Instead, let us choose the better path, like Mary, and sit at Jesus’ feet.

Let us trust in God’s sovereignty, like Jacob, and wait on His blessings.

And let us remember, like David, that God’s anointing comes not through human effort but through His gracious choice.

In quietness and confidence, we shall find victory, according to God’s Word.

• “In quietness and confidence there shall be victory”

This quote is derived from Isaiah 30:15, which states:

“For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, ‘In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.’ But you were unwilling…” (ESV)

This verse emphasizes the importance of quietness, rest, and trust in God as the source of strength and victory.

When we prioritize our relationship with God and trust in His sovereignty, we experience His strength and victory in our lives.

• The race is not for the swift nor the strongest but it is God that shows mercy”

This quote is derived from Ecclesiastes 9:11, which states:

“Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all.” (ESV)

This verse highlights that success and victory are not solely dependent on human strength, speed, wisdom, or intelligence.

Rather, God’s mercy and sovereignty play a significant role in determining outcomes.

The verse encourages us to trust in God’s mercy and providence rather than relying solely on our own abilities.

Additionally, a similar concept is expressed in 2 Chronicles 16:9, which states:

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.” (ESV)

Trusting and relying on God for His lasting blessings, victory, and mercy should not replace diligence and hard work.

Rather, it should complement and fuel our efforts.

As the Bible says in 2 Thessalonians 3:10, “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.” (ESV)

We are called to work diligently and responsibly, using the gifts and talents God has given us.

However, our trust and reliance on God should be the foundation and driving force behind our efforts.

By combining faith, trust, and hard work, we can be in a position of finding God’s lasting blessings, victory, and mercy in our lives.

As Proverbs 22:29 states, “A man skilled in his work will serve before kings; he will not serve before officials of low rank.” (ESV)

May we strive to be skilled and diligent in our work, while trusting and relying on God for His guidance, strength, and blessings.”

This statement emphasizes the importance of balancing trust in God with diligent effort, ensuring that our readers understand that faith and hard work go hand-in-hand.