Genie in a bottle

Psalm 24:5, "He will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior."

God blesses those who seek His fellowship by pursuing righteousness.  A young man my husband has been talking to/mentoring had been going to church with us.  He was not unchurched, but it was not a regular part of his life.  He seemed eager and would go to talk to the pastor after the services.  He seemed hungry/ thirsty for some of that Living Water.   He hasn't had the easiest life, but he is blessed beyond measure when the alternatives are considered.  What saddened me at one point was when he told John that believing didn't change his circumstances.  This is the hardest part to explain to really anyone...it is not made easier when prosperity gospel preachers are out there wooing with promises of a life of blessing.  Seems logical, but it gets twisted up.  God blesses abundantly, but He does not promise of life without trials and valleys.  In fact, His Word says, "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I will overcome the world" (John 16:33...great life verse).  It gets tricky when this gets left out and the part that is not heard is that He WILL bless you abundantly...HE IS THE BLESSING!!!  

What's even more, He blessed us with provision to have fellowship with Him.  You and I may pursue righteousness all the zippity doo dah day long, but it will never be good enough.  Even our best is filthy rags to Him.  So He provided His Son and blesses us with the Holy Spirit (GOD in US!!!).  Fellowship right within us...right at our fingertips...not to rub that genie bottle with our wishes, but to receive more of Him.  He answers our prayers, He promises to vindicate us...in His time and in His will.  When we stand with our hands open, He will pour out more of Him into them until it overflows.