The prayer that ascends from a heart truly seeking the Lord’s face is never breathed in vain, for He delights to bless those who look to Him. That simple cry, “Dear God, please bless me,” is the echo of a soul that knows its own emptiness and turns to the Fountain of all fullness. It is right and good to seek the blessing, but let us be clear what this blessing is and how it comes. The highest blessing God can bestow is not found in outward prosperity or the ease of the flesh, but in the gift of His own presence. To have the Lord near, to walk in the light of His countenance, this is the portion that makes rich and adds no sorrow. The blessing you seek is first a personal, inward work: a new heart, a right spirit, the cleansing away of all filthiness and idols by the blood of Jesus. There is no spiritual blessing that comes by chance; it flows from the covenant of grace, purchased by Christ and applied by the Holy Spirit.
Has this blessing found you? Have you tasted that the Lord is gracious? True blessing begins when we cease from our own works and rest wholly upon the finished work of Jesus. It is peace, perfect peace, kept by Him whose mind is stayed on God. It is grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This is no mere sentiment, but a living reality for all who trust in the Savior. And mark this: when God blesses a man, He intends to make him a blessing. You cannot rightly ask for the one without the other. “I will bless you,” and “you shall be a blessing,” are joined together. Are you willing, then, to be so filled with the goodness of God that you overflow to others? To carry the sweet savor of Christ into your home, your labor, your every dealing? The prayer for blessing must be mated with a readiness to be used for His glory.
Therefore, let your petition rise still higher. Ask not merely for a general blessing, but for the covenant blessings promised in the Word: that the stony heart be taken away, that you be caused to walk in His statutes, that the blood of Jesus whisper peace within, even when thronging duties press or death casts its shadow. These are the unfailing mercies of God. And know this, that the very desire for blessing is proof that the Lord is already at work, for by nature none seek after Him. He gives the hunger that He means to satisfy. So come with boldness to the throne of grace, pleading the precious blood, and receive the blessing which makes rich indeed. Then go forth to be a dispensary of that same blessing to every soul you meet, until you enter the eternal glory where we shall bless God forever for having first blessed us.