Have a Blessed Day?
We live in a world that is often difficult. There are hardships, losses, pains and other difficulties associated with this life. Most folks realize this and do what they can to help others bear the burdens that too often invade their lives and not only adversely affect them, but their loved ones as well. However, some are confused in their thinking that God’s favor is offered to some, while at the same time it is withheld from others. Does this sound fair to you? Well, it’s not. God is not unfair when it comes to blessings, Salvation, or favor of any kind. Romans 2:11 clearly teaches there is “no respect of persons with God.” Per Matthew 5:45, God causes it to “rain on the just and on the unjust.” All should see from this that God is totally fair.
Why then, so some folks say to others, “Have a Blessed Day”? While it may be a friendly gesture in which it is used as a polite closing in conversation, it may also be taken in a much different way. According to Google, this saying has a religious (denominational) undertone. It is: A spiritual prayer: For many who use it, the phrase is a prayer that God will favor, protect, and sustain the person they are speaking to. A call to favor: It expresses a wish for the person to experience God’s grace and protection throughout the day. A cultural expression: In some contexts, such as the American South, it is a common, religiously rooted greeting.
Have these people who regularly use the phrase in such a way not read Ecclesiastes 9:11-12? Those who win the “race of life” are not the swift, strong, wise in the ways of the world, men of so-called understanding, or the skillful, “but time and chance happeneth to them all.”? We don’t know “our time” any more than the fish that get caught in the net, nor the birds which are caught in the snare. We are all going to pass from this life at some point, and we don’t know when this will happen. But we needn’t despair. 2Peter 1:3 (written to Christians), tells us that God “hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:” Those who have obeyed the gospel and remain faith-ful until death have truly been blessed with all they need.
The faithful Christian has everything they need to win the race, to live a life of godliness as they prepare for eternity. It is very selfish, materialistic, and unscriptural for one to think God’s Blessings apply to only this world in which we live. Perhaps this is why my wife’s father wrote the song below.
He Supplies My Every Need
(1) Have you ever wandered in the dark of night
With your burdens hard to bear?
Have you stumbled in your search for light
And no one seemed to care?
Well, I know a friend I can recommend,
My doubting heart He freed.
Now the victory’s mine, and from time to time,
He supplies my every need.
Chorus
What I need, He will supply.
He will lead, to my home on high.
When I was a sinner, He took me in.
He gave me peace and joy within,
Health and strength and daily bread,
Power to keep moving on ahead.
So, I’m fine, He’s mine. I’ll follow where He leads.
I want the world to know that He supplies my every need.
2nd chorus ending:
I want the world to know, everywhere I go,
That Jesus supplies my every need.
(2) It doesn’t matter what the world may say,
My soul is heaven bound.
I know I’m walking on the King’s highway,
And ole Satan can’t turn me ‘round.
When the road gets rocky or the waters rough,
My Lord has guaranteed,
To prepare a way, so from day to day,
He supplies my every need.
(O.D. Wilson – deceased)
When you think about it, every day is a “blessed day”, for the faithful child of God because He supplies all we need to be successful as we continue to live for Him and prepare for eternity. Every day is equally “blessed” for those who have yet to obey the gospel, as each day is another opportunity to do so. Unfortunately, this blessing will cease when your time runs out. Why will you not be obedient to the gospel call, learn what God would have you do to become His child, and access all that is needed to live a godly life? God Himself, in Hebrews 13:5 said He wants His children to live this way. He also said: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” There are no greater blessings this world or anyone in it can offer.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
