"There shall be showers of blessing-This is the promise of love;  
There shall be seasons refreshing sent from the Saviour above.
Showers of blessing, showers of blessing we need;
Mercy drops round us are falling, but for the showers we plead."

I started this day, this new week, singing this song!
What right do I have to expect any blessings at all from my Father?  What have I done to deserve the very good life I have?  Who is to be "blessed" by God and how does that happen?
The first Scripture that came to mind was Psalm 84:12 ~ "O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in You."  So trust is part of the relationship between the Lord and the one He blesses.
Psalm 1:1 popped into my head ~ "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;  but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night."  I see how the one who delights in the Word of God and turns away from sin and the lifestyle and identification with the sinful will be blessed.  Being in fellowship with others who desire to follow God is crucial.
The very end of Job was on the page before Psalm 1 and my eyes caught the word "blessed" once again!  Job's journey was all about figuring out the connection between the Creator God and those who worshiped Him.  Why do hardships come on the faithful?  What is God's formula for blessing?
"And the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning...." ~ Job 42:2a  God never did explain Himself or Satan's request to test Job.  God chooses to bless in His wisdom and lavish love.  No explanation required!
Looking in my concordance, I found some New Testament references.
James 1:12a ~ "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial..."  God does reward those who stand firm when tested.  It doesn't seem to be about perfect performance on the part of the human, but about the heart and attitude and faith of the individual in his Maker.
As I searched for another Scripture, Ephesians 1:3 stirred my heart.  "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places..."  How awesome!  Even richer is this blessing than Job's cattle and sheep (although the restoration of his family cannot be compared)!  Every spiritual blessing includes so much that is no comparison to earthly treasures and provisions.  Joy, peace, forgiveness, healing, wisdom, understanding of God's Word, connection of prayer, restoring of broken relationships...the list continues and I could never exhaust the resources of heaven that God has given us access to through Jesus our Lord!  My heart is overwhelmed; my cup overflows!
A few weeks ago, a good friend of mine was speaking to a group of women on the "Blessings of Obedience" as she experienced God's lessons in living and serving for 11 months in Uganda.  Her Bible text was in Deuteronomy 28 and I highlighted verse 2 today:
"And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord."  I know this almost looks like a formula, a set of conditions as you read the entire book of Deuteronomy.  Kind of like the consequences for action principles.  We see God as a formidable judge, keeping score of our right and wrong actions and rewarding or punishing accordingly!  But I see it more like a loving, approachable Dad, with an armful  of presents and very good gifts, wanting to give them to us.  And when we disobey and turn away from Him, we are the ones refusing to receive, distancing ourselves from the good things God has for us.  It breaks His heart to see us in rebellion or disobedience and missing out on the merciful goodness He wants to bless us with!

"There shall be showers of blessing, if we but trust and obey; 
There shall be seasons refreshing, if we let God have His way.
Showers of blessing, showers of blessing we need; 
Mercy drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead."  (Daniel W. Whittle/James McGranahan)

Have a blessed week, family and friends!  I know I will.