Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. (Psalm 33:12)
Don’t we all want to live blessed lives, live in a blessed nation, and see others around us blessed? Have you stopped to consider what being “blessed” means? For many, it’s a word Christians toss around to mean “good things happening” or “I’m good about the outcome.” The word blessed in Hebrew means to be favored, fortunate, and happy. But the promise of being blessed is not for everyone. Psalm 33:12 explains that the nation that walks in the blessing accepts God as their Lord. That means they have given God control of their lives and direction. His way is sought, and His will is desired above all else.
God’s will is for all of us to walk in blessings, which includes money, land, houses, and spiritual, emotional, and community well-being. Psalm 33:12 also outlines the opposite: a nation that accepts and embraces sin lacks blessings and lives under a curse.
A nation's moral and spiritual health profoundly impacts those living within it. This is one reason believers need to pray for spiritually sound individuals who can affect government.
However, a nation’s spiritual health begins from the bottom up, not from the top down. The most effective way for us to create change on a national level is to embody that change at a local level. By encouraging and promoting righteousness in our workplaces, families, and communities, we nurture an environment that inspires the pursuit of God and adherence to His commands.
Practical Application
We all want to walk in the blessing and for our nation to be blessed. The change starts with us. As you converse and connect with others this week, consider whether your actions and opinions support God’s way or push people away from Him. Be the change.