Blessed

It's not uncommon to hear someone say, almost as a "thank you," "You blessed me" or something like it. It sounds vaguely "Christian," but not necessarily. It sounds Christian because of things like the Beatitudes (Matt 5:3-12). We've come to mean it as "happy," but is it?

The Greek word is makarios which means "fortunate." It is translated "happy" in places or "blessed" or "fortunate." But biblically it is more. It is spiritual favor, divine grace. "Happy" refers to favorable fortune while "blessed" refers to divine aid. Perhaps you can see it clearly in the Aaronic Blessing.

The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. (Num 6:24-26)

The structures of the phrases are parallel. In this form, "bless" and "make His face to shine" and "lift up His countenance" are synonymous. So are "keep" and "be gracious" and "give you peace." So "bless and keep" are the same as "make His face to shine and be gracious" and "lift up His countenance and give you peace," and they are all expanding on a single notion ... "bless." In this, then, you can see the intentions of the word, "blessed." It includes being kept, having Him see you, His grace, and giving you peace. So "blessed" means so much more than merely "favorable fortune."

Scripture says God "has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" (Eph 1:3). That's so much more than "made you happy." It's His face on you, His hand keeping you, His grace for you, His peace. It's so much more than "happy."