What does Mark 8:7 mean?

"Blessed" is from the Greek root word eulogeo. It means to celebrate with praises, to consecrate something, to ask God to give something favor. It is where we get our word "eulogy."

Jesus declares His praises for the provision of a few small, dried fish. To a hungry crowd on the verge of fainting, they are indeed a God-send. Undoubtedly, many of the people have finer rations at home, to include lamb, goat, and bacon. But here, a little salty protein is what they need, and Jesus sets the example by being appropriately grateful.

As kids, some of us were shamed for rejecting our peas by the mention of starving children in third-world countries. As we grow up, we lament when we don't get into the college we want, don't get the job or the salary we feel we deserve, or have the house and car we expected. Often, we lack because of our own poor choices. Other times it has nothing to do with our choices, but instead we lack simply because we live in a fallen world. Regardless, we are likely to find contentment not by having more, but by appreciating what we have more.

There is real desperation in the world, and then there is having just enough to cover what we need. It's important to realize the difference. The gap between "barely enough" and "not nearly enough" is enormous. Believers can rejoice, no matter how desperate we are, and also recognize that our preferences are not always the same as our ultimate "needs."