The Blessing!

Recently I was asked to share at a Men’s breakfast and with Pentecost approaching I decided to teach on what I believe is one of the greatest gifts of the Holy Spirit-to encounter the deep love of Abba Father (Rom. 8:15) and receive the immeasurable blessing He has to offer. Our hearts are desperately longing for this blessing and the first step to receiving this gift is to acknowledging our absolute weakness. For me, and perhaps you as well, my human nature  is to avoid all signs of weakness. Yet, I have learned that  the path to Abba and the blessing He desires to bestow, is awareness of the brokenness in our lives and realizing we are powerless to anything in our own strength.

In order to experience the blessing  of the Holy Spirit we must seek the Blesser and shamelessly pound on His door until the gift is received.  An illustrations of this audacity in seeking the blessing is in Genesis 32.  Jacob searched for this blessing his whole life. Even in the womb he grabbed his twin brother Esau’s heel to gain first place in the family. Later on Jacob was so desperate for the blessing from his father Isaac, he tricked him into thinking he was Esau just to receive the coveted blessing for the first born.

Despite this blessing, more pain followed and Jacob escaped to his uncle Laban as Esau sought revenge. So Jacob searched for yet another blessing in beautiful Rachel thinking she would fill the void. But Jacob now was the one tricked and ended up with the oldest sister Leah on his wedding night and worked 7 more years for Rachel. Even Rachel and the 11 sons born left him dissatisfied.

Work provided immeasurable wealth and still Jacob’s heart was unfulfilled. Then after 20 years away, God prompted Jacob to return which meant a confrontation with Esau. The unsettling evening before meeting Esau, Jacob wrestled all night with a mysterious figure-who I believe was Jesus. Just before dawn the figure said to Jacob, “Let Me go.” But Jacob refused to release his grip until the “man” blessed him.

At the moment of weakness and sheer exhaustion the blessing came to a desperate man and God changed Jacob’s name to Israel, because of their wrestling match. It is to be noted that the Hebrew letters in Israel mean one who retains God. I would translate it as his heart became a dwelling place for the presence of God.

Jacob finally got the blessing his heart was longing for when he came to the end of himself and clung to God until He blessed him. It is through weakness that our hearts are opened and prepared for the gift of the Holy Spirit. And what is that Gift or Blessing we all need? The Love of our heavenly Father. This is what empowered Jesus in ministry and kept Him faithful to the cross. This is what changed fearful disciples into bold witnesses-when the Holy Spirit came upon them.

As we look forward to Pentecost be reminded how much you need the blessing that comes from the Holy Spirit. Realize you are powerless and that you need the supernatural love of your Daddy to be the blessing you have been longing for. Don’t let go of Him until you get it.

“What father among you, if his son ask for a fish, will instead give him a snake…if you then, who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give you the Holy Spirit for those who ask Him.” (Luke 11:11-13)

Our Abba Father offers His healing and transformational love. This blessing is waiting for you to claim.