“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and His rule” (Matthew 5:3 MSG). 

Dictionary.com defines “blessed” this way: “to make holy…to request divine favor on…to make happy.”

Happy. “Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise” (James 5: 3b NIV). I’ve often misunderstood Matthew 5:3 when I've read it in other versions of the Bible because I usually think of being blessed as being happy. But here in the Message Bible, I see we can be blessed even when we’re not feeling the emotions of happiness. We can also know we’re blessed because of God’s promises of His favor and holiness.

Favor. Answered prayer provides the evidence of God’s blessings and favor. Paul testified to God’s help and favor in the middle of some difficult circumstances in 2 Corinthians 1:10-12: “He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.”

Holy. I can also know that I’m blessed because of God’s promise that His people are holy. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9)

So, I hope you’re not at the end of your rope today. But if you are...remember, God’s Word says you’re BLESSED!

Wikimedia Commons Photo/U.S. Navy photo by Chief Photographer's Mate Chris Desmond. 


Have you ever felt like you were at the end of your rope?