Count Your Blessings

"Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the LORD delivers them in times of trouble. The LORD protects and preserves them — they are counted among the blessed in the land — he does not give them over to the desire of their foes." — Psalm 41:1–2

The Bible is filled with countless verses about blessings and curses — blessings for obedience, and curses for disobedience. We all desire God's blessings; yet often times, we focus on material blessings — a surprise check in the mail, a bigger house, perhaps a nicer car.

And, of course, God may choose to bless us in this way. But His blessings may also come to us in healing, in peace that passes all understanding, in community among believers, forgiveness, mercy, companionship, love, and everlasting salvation. Truly, God's blessings are vast, at times even surprising, and nearly always undeserved!
In Psalm 41, David writes about those who care for the weak: "Blessed is he who has regard for the weak." As God cares for the weak, oppressed, and vulnerable, he delights when we demonstrate concern for them, too. When God's concerns become our concerns, He promises to bless us.

Those blessings, according to Psalm 41, may take many forms. Namely, that the Lord "delivers;"the Lord "will protect and preserve his life;" the Lord "will bless him;" and "not surrender him" to enemies. These promises resonate with those found in God's list of blessings for obedience found in Deuteronomy 28:1–14. God promises that "All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God" (28:2).

As we strive to live in obedience to God and care about the things God cares about, such as loving others, especially the weak, then God will cause His blessings to fill our lives. There's no telling how or when He may respond with blessings in our lives, but He will.

We can be sure that our obedience is noticed by God. Even if it does not seem like we have many blessings — even if life seems difficult at the moment — God has not forgotten us. Sometimes we may need to focus on the many blessings He has already bestowed on us.

It may simply be a matter of counting our blessings to know that we are, indeed, "counted among the blessed in the land" (v.2).

With prayers for shalom, peace,


Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein
President