They Would Not - But Will You? - The Blessings They Missed

 They Would Not - But Will You? - The Blessings They Missed

Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

Throughout man’s history, the Lord God has offered so many blessings to the nation of Israel and to the whole world, including the blessings of salvation and of a close relationship/fellowship with Him, but sadly many would not humble themselves, turn to God in faith and receive these blessings.

2 Peter 1:3-4 According as his divine power 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: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

As you read each verse and passage below, think about what spiritual blessing God wants to bestow in each of those particular settings. If you have placed your faith in the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, believing in His death upon the cross for your sins, His physical resurrection after three days and three nights in the grave, trusting in Him alone for salvation, rejoice now that these blessings are all yours in Christ.

1. The blessing of closeness and security in Jesus: 

Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

2. The blessing of satisfaction and fulfilment in the Saviour.

Psalms 81:10-11 I am the LORD thy God,
which brought thee out of the land of Egypt:
open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.
But my people would not hearken to my voice;
and Israel would none of me.
(See also verse 16.)

3. The blessing of knowing the Saviour and being led beside the still waters, rather than having trouble overwhelm you and overflow the banks of your life.

Isaiah 8:6 Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly,
and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son;
(See also verses 7-8, and Genesis 49:10)

4. The blessing of rest and refreshing as the Word of God opens up to you day by day, and you see your precious Cornerstone, Jesus Christ, revealed in all its pages.

Isaiah 28:9-13 Whom shall he teach knowledge?
and whom shall he make to understand doctrine?
them that are weaned from the milk,
and drawn from the breasts.
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept;
line upon line, line upon line;
here a little, and there a little:
For with stammering lips and another tongue
will he speak to this people.
To whom he said,
This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest;
and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
But the word of the LORD was unto them
precept upon precept, precept upon precept;
line upon line, line upon line;
here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken,
and snared, and taken.
(See also verse 16.)

5. The blessing of a life of quietness and confidence (not worry or strife) in Jesus. 

Isaiah 30:15 For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel;
In returning and rest shall ye be saved;
in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength:
and ye would not.

6. The blessing of God’s peace in your soul, flowing through your life.

Isaiah 48:18 O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:

7. The blessing of walking with the Lord in the path of His will, the path of rest and victory in Him.

Jeremiah 6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

8. The blessing of spiritual intimacy and closeness with the Saviour in a life that brings praise and glory to Him.

Jeremiah 13:11 For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the LORD; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear.

9. The blessing of being God’s representative to your fellow man, and being an intercessor for them before the throne of grace.

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:
because thou hast rejected knowledge,
I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me:
seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God,
I will also forget thy children.

10. The blessing and assurance of having your prayers answered according to the will of God.

Zechariah 7:13 Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear;
so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:

11. The blessing of being invited to the marriage of the King’s Son.

Matthew 22:2-3 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.

12. The blessing of being part of the Bride of Christ, and knowing that the wonderful marriage supper of the Lamb is still awaiting you one day. (P.S. Just imagine the joy of that future celebration!)

Luke 14:16-20, 24 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come… For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
(See also Revelation 19:6-9.)

13. The blessing of receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, being adopted into the family of God, and being born again as His child.

John 1:11-12 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

14. The blessing of seeing Jesus Christ in all His glory throughout all the pages of your Bible - and personally knowing by faith that you have received His gift of eternal life - knowing you will spend eternity with the Saviour who died for your sins and washed them all away in His precious blood - knowing your sins are forever blotted out from His sight!

John 5:39-40 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

Are you walking in obedience and fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ, walking in the light of all the blessings and promises He desires to give you?

If you are a child of God by faith, these are all yours to claim. Don’t miss out!

September 4, 2023
Jerry Bouey