Twenty Ways I Can Bless the Lord

Ever have to pick out a special gift for the person who seemingly has everything? That shopping experience is quite challenging, isn’t it? We give gifts out of a desire to bless the recipient, to show our love for him, and to demonstrate that we care for him. Often times, though, we resign the search and purchase a gift card or stuff a wad of cash into a note card. The gift-giving box can be checked off, but that warm fuzzy feeling of nailing the giving moment with the perfect choice may prove elusive. These thoughts rose to the surface as I read Psalm 103 with its command to bless the Lord. How in the world can I do that? What do I have to offer Him? He does, after all, own everything. Stay with me and we will discover twenty ways I can bless the Lord

Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name.   Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits;  Psalms 103:1-2 NASB

The word bless includes many nuances such as to praise, to kneel, or to salute. It can also mean to congratulate or to thank. Many modern translations of the Bible install the word praise and charge ahead. I recognize that God has done something for me or that He has given something to me. That awareness should trigger one correct response—worship slathered with love and thanksgiving. Let’s consider a few examples of folks who were all about blessing the Lord.

Moses

Moses shared God’s promise of a new land for Israel, a land that percolated with benefits. Remember this was a people group wandering the desert in survival mode. Imagine the hope generated by this description.

“For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing forth in valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; a land where you will eat food without scarcity, in which you will not lack anything; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper.  Deuteronomy 8:7-9 NASB

Once their journey ended and the benefits flowed, Israel had a specific action to take.

“When you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which He has given you.  Deuteronomy 8:10 NASB (Emphasis added)

Deborah and Barak

Deborah, a prophetess in Israel joined Barak, the commander of the military, after a resounding victory over Jabin and the Canaanites to draw the Israelites into worship. Note the singular focus.

“That the leaders led in Israel, That the people volunteered, Bless the LORD! “Hear, O kings; give ear, O rulers! I—to the LORD, I will sing, I will sing praise to the LORD, the God of Israel.  Judges 5:2-3 NASB (Emphasis added)

David

David’s reign drew to an end, but one major item remained on his bucket list—to build a temple for God. Although God delayed the building program until Solomon took the throne, David made extensive preparations. David offered a prayer for Solomon’s empowerment and recruited the people to stand behind the young king to support the work.

and give to my son Solomon a perfect heart to keep Your commandments, Your testimonies and Your statutes, and to do them all, and to build the temple, for which I have made provision.” Then David said to all the assembly, “Now bless the LORD your God.” And all the assembly blessed the LORD, the God of their fathers, and bowed low and did homage to the LORD and to the king.  1 Chronicles 29:19-20 NASB (Emphasis added)

Nehemiah

Far away from Jerusalem, Nehemiah, who served the Persian king as cupbearer, received a report on the sad state of affairs in Jerusalem. Nehemiah petitioned the king to be allowed to travel to Israel to rebuild the wall around the holy city. Despite the discouragement and opposition of all the naysayers, Nehemiah and his crew of novice volunteers mastered the art of wall-building and completed the work in an amazing 52-day effort.

With the city wall in place the people joined their leader in praise and worship to repair the wall around their hearts by renewing their dedication to God.

Then the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah and Pethahiah, said, “Arise, bless the LORD your God forever and ever! O may Your glorious name be blessed And exalted above all blessing and praise!  “You alone are the LORD. You have made the heavens, The heaven of heavens with all their host, The earth and all that is on it, The seas and all that is in them. You give life to all of them And the heavenly host bows down before You.  Nehemiah 9:5-6 NASB (Emphasis added)

Psalms

Follow through this sampling from Psalms.

I will bless the LORD who has counseled me; Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night.  Psalms 16:7 NASB

My foot stands on a level place; In the congregations I shall bless the LORD.  Psalms 26:12 NASB

 I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.  Psalms 34:1 NASB

Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, You are very great; You are clothed with splendor and majesty, Psalms 104:1 NASB

But as for us, we will bless the LORD From this time forth and forever. Praise the LORD!  Psalms 115:18 NASB

My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, And all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever.  Psalms 145:21 NASB

Practical Tips

I find it easy to track along with a Bible study like this one and nod with each point, but if my time investment is to pay off in life change, I need to get practical. I must put the lessons in terms that will offer guidance in tomorrow’s grind. Practically speaking, how can I bless the Lord? Here are twenty ways I can bless the Lord.

1. Tell God that I love Him. Often. Mean it. No matter what adversity percolates around me.
2. Read God’s Word. Consistently. Prayerfully. Purposefully.
3. Render positive feedback on God’s Word. It’s a masterpiece so quote it. Share it. Post it. Memorize it. Talk about it. Authors love reader feedback.
4. Agree with God’s interpretation of life’s rules.
5. Seek God’s guidance.
6. Listen when God speaks.
7. Follow God’s directions.
8. Acknowledge God’s infinite contributions to my life. Be specific.
9. Exhibit faith in God and His ability to handle the impossible.
10. Serve as God’s hands, feet, mouth, and pocketbook. Let Him work through me to pass His blessings along.
11. Know that I can depend on Him to do what He says He will do.
12. Compliment His creative genius.
13. Acknowledge that I am in a safe place with Him as He has my best interests in mind.
14. Remember to thank Him for His help in my struggles.
15. Pray “just because” prayers rather than drone through shopping lists.
16. Ask His empowerment to develop the skills and abilities He has given me.
17. Offer to help with His work.
18. Perform anonymous acts of kindness and let Him have the credit.
19. Trust God enough to share my deepest feelings with Him.
20. Resolve to remove my mask and stop pretending with God. He already knows I am not perfect.

Conclusion

Is it possible for me, a mere human, to bless God? Based on what we’ve studied here the answer is a resounding, “Yes!” Why not take a moment, count and acknowledge a few of the benefits God has provided? Would you help someone else by listing one of the benefits in the comments section? Sometimes we need a friend to come alongside and point out the obvious so we can say, “I get it! Oh, yeah! God really is at work in my life.”