Counting Our Blessings

Bulletins

Michael Hickox
11/24/24 - General

The hymn and phrase Count Your Blessings encourages an attitude of gratitude, especially through trials. When Christians count our blessings, we realize (1) they are innumerable, and (2) the problems we face are not worthy to be compared with our blessings.

The word most often used for “blessed” in the New Testament means “fortunate, well off” (see Strong G3107). Jesus says this describes the “poor in spirit,” those who “mourn,” the “meek,” those who “hunger and thirst after righteousness,” the “merciful,” the “pure in heart,” the “peacemakers,” and those “persecuted for righteousness’ sake” (Matt. 5:3-10). This shows that blessedness in God’s eyes is contingent on obeying Him.

Those who choose to please God are blessed “with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3). These blessings are made possible through God sending His Son to be “wounded for our transgressions” and “bruised for our iniquities” (Isa. 53:5).

Jesus’ sacrifice makes it possible for us to be God’s children (Eph. 1:5), receiving His care through prayer and providence (1 Pet. 3:12; 5:7).

God has granted us His Word, which contains “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Pet. 1:3) and allows us to be “thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:17).

While these things touch on what God has done for each of us individually, consider also the gratitude we can have for God’s impact on others:

Paul wrote to the saints at Rome, “I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all” (Rom. 1:8). He told the Corinthians, “I thank my God always on your behalf” (1 Cor. 1:4). To the saints at Ephesus, Paul said, “[I] cease not to give thanks for you” (Eph. 1:16). He told the Philippians, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you” (Phil. 1:3). To the Colossians, he said, “We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you” (Col. 1:3). To the Thessalonians, he said, “We give thanks to God always for you all” (1 Thess. 1:2).

Earthly problems pale in comparison to the “unspeakable gift[s]” God offers (2 Cor. 9:15; cf. Rom. 8:18).

This doesn’t mean God’s children should never be sorrowful over things of this life. There are times when it’s appropriate to mourn (cf. John 11:35; Rom. 12:15), and it’s OK to acknowledge circumstances that are not ideal.

Yet, our general state should be one of gratitude. Our priorities should lead us to remember God’s greatness and grace regardless of earthly circumstances.

If we count our blessings (and weigh them), it’s evident that even when earthly things don’t go our way, nothing we face compares with the blessings God offers.

Thanks be to God for all of His unspeakable gifts.