The Price Tag of Blessings
Ezekiel 36:9-10
"For, behold, I am for you, and I will turn unto you, and ye shall be tilled and sown: And I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, even all of it: and the cities shall be inhabited, and the wastes shall be builded:"
They often say that there is nothing free in life, and that is very true. Yes, salvation is free for us, but Jesus Christ still paid the price for it. Yet, when it comes to being blessed in life, many people want the blessings without paying the price for them. Just like there is a price tag for sin, there is also a price tag for God's blessings.
In the verses above, God promises Israel that He would multiply them again. This was a promise of restoration to Israel after their bondage; however, there was a price they had to pay for God's blessings. Notice, God said, "...I will turn you, and ye shall be tilled and sown:..." Israel had to pay a price if they wanted God to bless them again. God would have to turn the soil of their heart. He would have to till their spirit. He would have to sow the seeds of blessings before they were multiplied. Yes, God wanted to bless them, but they had to be willing to pay the price for the blessings.
God used the illustration of reaping a harvest for these people to help them understand what it took to get His blessings on their life. Everyone enjoys the fruit of the harvest, but few want to pay the price to receive that fruit. Before the fruit is placed in your hand, somebody had to pay the price for it to grow. Someone had to turn the hardened soil. Someone had to till the land to get ready to sow the seed. Someone had to take the time to sow the seed. Then, someone had to pull the weeds to keep them from choking the fruit. Finally, someone had to harvest the fruit for you to enjoy its blessings. There is a price tag attached to enjoying fruit.
Likewise, you will never enjoy God's blessings on your life until you pay a price. I think of the price of freedom and what many had to pay so we can enjoy it. Many men and women gave their lives so that we could enjoy freedoms in America. Many men and women have endured prison camps so that we can enjoy our freedoms. Many people endured the war zones so that we could enjoy the freedoms in our land. The blessings of freedom that God has given to America did not come without a price, and will not continue without someone paying a price.
So, you want God's blessings on your life? Are you willing to pay the price for those blessings? Many people want God to bless them, but they want those blessings without paying a price. I have news for you, there will be days when God will have to till the soil of your heart through hardships. There will be times when the enemy will turn the soils of your life with battles. There will be hours upon end when you will have to sow the seed of hard work and obedience to the Scriptures before you ever see God's blessings upon your life. You will never experience God's blessings without paying a price.
Let me encourage you not to give up on God's blessings. You may have done right for a long time, and you may think that you can't take any more, but God's blessings will come if you keep doing right. Always remember that God's blessings are one step beyond the quitting point. When you want to quit, if you will keep going you will find that God's blessings will come. Don't give up! Don't let the price that you have paid be in vain. If you will hang in there, you will experience God's blessings.
On the other hand, don't think that God will give you His blessings for free. You must pay a price for those blessings, but the blessings will far outweigh the price tag. Step in and pay the price for God's blessings. The price may be hard, but the blessings are great.