The Flood-gates of Heaven

This last week, as I prepared for a talk, started contemplating the concept of blessings. I began with the scripture on tithing, as that was my original theme, but got to thinking beyond the "windows of heaven."

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." (Malachi 3:10 )

In the German Bible used here (not the Martin Luther translation), instead of "windows" it uses the word "sluices" which really means "flood-gates." Elder Bednar in October Conference uses the metaphor "window" to show the light "spiritual illumination and perspective are poured out through the windows of heaven and into our lives as we honor the law of tithing." ("Windows of Heaven," Bednar, October 2013 general conference)

Illumination is good and I always thought of the windows as being this source of blessings. I really feel that the Lord truly has blessed me with illumination as I study the scriptures and I have always had a testimony of the Law of Tithing, but as I contemplated the idea of the flood-gates of heaven, I though of that powerful metaphor. My thoughts were drawn to another scripture:

"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." (1 Corinthians 2:9 )  In Isaiah it reads "… him that waiteth for him." (Isa 64:4)

We cannot comprehend the blessings that await us if we but love the Lord and keep his commandments. We know from the revelation to Joseph Smith in section 130:

"There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated-- And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated." (D&C 130:20-21 )

I thought about how we pray for so many people, both here in Germany in our branch as also our family at home. I am sure that the Lord blesses the people we pray for, and the blessings are true. But how much more blessed are people as they truly turn to the Lord and serve Him. The blessings are as described in Paul's words "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man …" or, in other words, incomprehensible to us.

I thought about how the Holy Ghost works. People in the world can and do feel the influence of the Holy Ghost at times as they are introduced to the Gospel, or are influenced to do good, but the blessing of the gift of the Holy Ghost is only promised as we are obedient to the law of baptism and received the gift in the Lord's way. I feel that it is the same with blessings in general. People receive blessings every day, usually through the goodness of others. The Lord loves and blesses people, but the incomprehensible blessings come only when we love him or "wait for Him."

Our prayers and efforts to bless people are indispensable. The Lord truly blesses us, not only for our own good and benefit, but He blesses through us all His children whom we come in contact with. The greater blessing is when we can help others find the greater blessings that come from embracing the gospel and coming to know their Redeemer more in their daily lives and living the commandments that bring these incomprehensible blessings.