Yahweh’s blessings:
We hear messages on the blessings and promises of Elohim. We regularly get such messages on social media like Facebook and Watsapp. Evangelists and preachers preach about them. All the blessings promised in Deut.28:3-13a are freely spoken of and over the believers. The congregation leaves the meetings feeling happy because the preacher has spoken a very encouraging word. Now, you need not worry about your finances because the Lord has promised you that  “thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.“ (Deut.28:12). You will prosper because  ” Yahweh shall make thee the head, and not the tail” (Deut.2813). True, Elohim wants His people to prosper, but will all His blessings come if you just repeat them and claim them? I don’t think so! This is what is called ‘blab it and grab it’ theology which all prosperity gospel preachers teach.
Read what Elohim says before and after these promises. Deut.28:1-2,”And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Yahweh thy Elohim, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy Elohim will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:  And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Yahweh thy Elohim.” Deut.28:13-14,”And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Yahweh thy Elohim, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them: And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other elohims to serve them.” The blessings of Elohim come with a condition-we should obey His commandments!

When Solomon finished building the house of Yahweh and dedicated it, Yahweh Elohim appeared to Solomon by night and said,” If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2Ch 7:14). Elohim is speaking about HIS people, his children! This is not a verse for unbelievers, this is for us, believers!

Humble ourselves: To humble one’s self means to “bend the knee” (Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries # H3665), to be under subjection. It also means not to think highly of one’s self. The greatest hindrance to humble ourselves is our pride. We are puffed up with pride. Pride says that we do not need Elohim, that we can do everything with our intelligence and hard work. The Lord hates a proud look (Prov.6:16-17; Prov.8:13). Pride is very much evident in our churches. People in positions in the church look down on others as inferiors. Pride does not listen to others, pride always talks about self, pride feels that good things should happen only to them, pride is ungrateful. The church in Laodicea claimed to be rich and successful and to have everything they needed. But they don't know how badly off they were. They were pitiful, poor, blind, and naked (Rev 3:17). The city of Nineveh was a trade center, one of the oldest and greatest cities in ancient times. The people of Nineveh were affluent and idol worshippers. But when Jonah entered the city and proclaimed Elohims impending wrath upon that city, the people repented. From the king down to the lowest servant, all animals, fasted and humbled themdelves. Elohim’s people should realize that we would be nothing without Him and that we can accomplish nothing apart from His power in our lives, (John 15:5.)

Pray: Elohim wants us, expects us to pray. If you are filled with pride, you will not pray. Prayerlessness is one of the mail reasons families fall apart. A family that prays together stays together. Prayer is communion with Elohim. It is not just a shopping list that we present to Elohim daily before going to bed. Prayer is acknowledging that Yahweh is the creator we are his creation and depend on him for our existence. But our prayers are dull, repetitive and long. We pray for form’s sake. Prayer is Elohim’s altar where we lay down our pride and wait for his will to be done in our lives. The people of Nineveh humbled themselves and prayed (Jonah.3:8), and Yahweh heard their prayer. Leonard Ravenhill, an English Christian evangelist and author who focused on the subjects of prayer and revival, said, “The church is dying on its feet because it is not living on its knees!”

Seek His face:  The word ‘seek’ means to search out, by any method; specifically in worship or prayer (Strong’s # H1245). It means that we should make every effort to seek him by studying the word of Yahweh, and knowing his will in our lives. Amos. 5:4,”For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live:” Isa. 55:6,”Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:” He wants us to love Him for who He is!  Seeking His face means that we hunger for Him more than for what He can do. Elohim should be the first priority in our lives. What is your priority in life? Job? Family?  Possessions? Where does Elohim fit in your life’s plans?  If anything takes priority in your lives before Elohim, then your live is not perfect. The church in Laodicea claimed to be rich and successful and to have everything they needed. But they don't know how badly off they were. (Rev 3:17). The people of Nineveh were immersed in trade and forgot Elohim. Their priorities were wrong. Jonah’s words opened their eyes and they set about trying to mend their ways. Remember, misplaced priorities are an obstacle to Elohim’s blessings.

Turn from wicked ways: The people of Israel believed that as Abraham was their father and they were Yahweh’s chosen people, they had a continual supply of Elohim’s grace. So they continued in sin, thinking Elohim would always forgive them and bless them. Isa.59:2,”But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” The church today lives in the same misconception. There is hypocrisy and sin in the church. We make compromises in our beliefs, in our moral standards, we drink, we steal, we lie, we cheat; we commit adultery; we carry hate in their heart; we walk in pride; we walk in hypocrisy. We believe that  we are saved by grace, but grace is never a license to sin!
Jas 5:16,”The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” We need to come before Elohim with a repentant heart. Yes, Yahweh’s blessings will come upon us only when we obey his word and live lives that are pleasing to Him.

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