FAITH CAPSULE: It is important to do as commanded to provoke His blessing.

DEUTERONOMY 28:1-14, Matthew 5:1-12

God does not bless anyone by accident. The blessing of God comes with condition. For example, God laid the condition for the Israelites before blessing them by setting them high above the nation. It is written, “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth.”(Deuteronomy 28:1) God does have all of His word laid out to perform when there is obedient.
Jesus, when He saw the multitudes, gave the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12). His Beatitudes encased what it takes for man’s life to be beautified when obedient is in place. Jesus stated in Matthew 6:6, “…When you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” Jesus was not giving a suggestion. It was not a request but rather it is a command that ask for “When you pray”. His command has to be done for the blessing of having prayers answered by God.
Among other commands that were laid out for the provocation of His blessing states, “…when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”(Matthew 6:2-4) Here, Jesus pointed out the blessing that comes for doing charitable deeds. It is not an option; it is a matter of doing and it will always be backed by blessing.
Jesus also commanded, “…when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:16-18) Following the commands of giving to fasting, praying and charity also provokes the blessings of God. It is important to do as commanded to provoke His blessing.

Prayer for today: Ask for the grace to understand and live by His word that His blessing may be provoked in your life.