Asking for Blessing

Have you ever prayed for a blessing? Is it narcissistic, or might it be exactly what God entices us to do? If you had asked me a few years ago, I would answer that it seems self-seeking and inappropriate. But today, the evidence in Scripture outways my feelings on the issue. The bottom line is that there exists a precedent for asking for a blessing and asking big.

Consider God’s appearance to Solomon:

At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” 1 Kings 3:5

Then Jesus makes the same offer to a blind man:

And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.”Mark 10:51

Somehow I am able to argue my way to figure that was then and doesn’t mean now and me. But then I noticed Caleb, the one who, with Joshua, believed God would give the Promised Land over to the Israelites. It is said of Caleb that he had a different spirit and followed God wholeheartedly, so he was able to enter the land while all others save Joshua, perished.

Two Times Blessing

Two times in Scripture we learn that this same Caleb has a daughter who was given in marriage to a valiant warrior. For a wedding present, her father gave her some property — but it didn’t have any water. This beloved daughter goes to her father and does the very thing I wouldn’t think to do. She asks for a blessing. 

And she got off her donkey, and Caleb said to her, “What do you want?” 

She said to him, “Give me a blessing. Since you have given me the land of the Negeb, give me also springs of water.” And he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs. Joshua 15:18-19

The fact that we have this exchange recorded two times in the Bible communicates, we should take notice. Here is a daughter, dearly loved, who just received a fabulous present. But in order for her to make the best use of it, she needs water. Does she sulk, complain, or cry? No. Although she hesitates by trying to send her new hubby on the bold errand, her father directly addresses her–the daughter he loves.

She asks for a blessing.

Specifically, a spring of water. Her father gives her two.

This my friend, is what struck me. The Bible offers us this simple story of a girl given a wedding present, who goes back and asks for more. Does she deserve it? No. But can she more fully live out God’s purpose for her if this need for water is met? Yes. Is this a father who loves giving good gifts to his children? As the only man designated as someone who loves God wholeheartedly, I believe we can say yes.

God sees you and me in the same light this father viewed his daughter. When she asks for such a bold and right blessing, he gives her twice as much as she requested.

That is the kind of heavenly father you and I have in Jesus.

A question for us is then, are we asking like a beloved daughter? In light of the examples given us in Scripture, you and I have the privilege of asking our father for a blessing. It is a good and right thing to pray. Today, I would like to do just that.

A Prayer for Blessing

Lord,

Today we bring to you our desires. Not simply our needs, Lord. On the basis of the precedent we have in Your Word, I am asking, on behalf of my sister, that you give her a blessing. In Your own way, I ask that you communicate how beloved she is to you. Show her her worth in Your sight. Grant my request on her behalf. We know more from You is undeserved. You have given enough. But what if she has a field and it needs a water source to do and be everything You have ordained? What if You wanting her to trust You enough, believing You are good enough to give a blessing for the asking? On the basis of Who You are and what You have done in the past, give her a blessing.

In the glorious and powerfully able Name of Jesus,

Amen

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