Eph 1:3 reminds us of the spiritual nature of God’s blessing. Sin has affected the world so much that it is now under a curse, and God’s blessing directly relates to the overcoming of this curse (see Gal 2:13-14). Romans 8 perhaps shows us the effect of all God has done for us in deliverance and salvation more clearly than any other chapter in the Bible. Paul makes it clear in this chapter that we are still waiting for the outworking of God’s salvation but assures us that God works for the good of those called by Him in every situation (Rom 8:28-30) and reminds us that ‘if God is for us, who can be against us?’ (Rom 8:31)
God has demonstrated His desire to bless and His love for us in giving His only Son to die for our sins (Rom 5:8, Rom 8:31-32). This gives us confidence through the trials and battles of life, because we know ultimately that nothing can separate us from God’s love (Rom 8:37-39). Paul was adamant that everything that happened – even his imprisonment – could be used by God to advance the gospel (Phil 1:12-18), and we too need the assurance that God is able to use everything (even that which others mean for evil, see Gen 50:20) for good. Jesus is God’s ultimate proof of love and care for us, but we have to acknowledge that Christmas shows us this gift came not with pomp and fanfare, fancy wrapping paper and loud advertising, but with poverty, humility and obscurity, and not everyone welcomed this gift. For those of us who embrace Jesus, we are reminded once again that blessing can look very different to our expectations but there is no good thing which God will withhold from those whose walk is blameless. (Ps 84:11)