What does it mean for God to Bless?

September 11th was a seminal moment in the history of our nation, and especially my generation. Similar to the JFK assassination for my parents, everyone remembers where they where and what they were doing when they saw or heard about the terrorist attacks. 9/11 was a day full of emotions. I remember being anxious about the lives of those trapped in the towers and angry – wanting revenge against the terrorists. To this day I have similar emotions just recalling that day.

9/11 had a lasting impact on our country. The stock market tanked and gas prices soared which impacted our pocketbooks. Our prestige worldwide took a hit as our veneer of imperviousness was shattered. Very soon after, our military became engaged in what would turn out to be a lengthy war in Afghanistan.

In the months and weeks that followed, our country seemed to undergo a small revival of faith. People were turning to church as a source of hope and protection.

In one of the lasting moments of that period, Celine Dion sang a powerful and moving rendition of “God Bless America” at the Super Bowl. We needed God to bless us again because we equated blessing with everything America had lost in the aftermath of 9/11. We were living in a new reality in which America’s power, prestige and wealth took a significant hit - a hit that still reverberates to this day.

In the years that followed, Americans moved away from the church. The mini-revival was over almost as soon as it began. Churches in America began once again to pray for revival to spread across America. Then in fall of 2008, America went through an economic tsunami in which the stock market hit lows not seen in decades. With wars still dragging on, once again America’s power, prestige and wealth took a hit.

Once again Americans, especially Christians, started to ask God to bless America.

What does this tell me? It seems to me that we as Americans tend to equate blessing with power, prestige and wealth. Anytime we lose one of these characteristics, we ask God to bless America once again – to restore wealth, power and/or prestige.

Instead, what if we began to equate blessing with God doing whatever it takes to turn our hearts to him? As God’s people, shouldn’t we want God to do whatever it takes to bring people into his kingdom?

The Old Testament bears witness to this issue. When Israel was experiencing a time of peace and prosperity, their hearts turned away from God to idols. When God sent invading armies, Israel turned their hearts back to God.

When was God blessing Israel, during their prosperity or hardship?

We as God’s people must be willing for God to do whatever it takes to turn hearts towards God - however it impacts our wealth, prestige or power.