I don’t know about you, but when prompted by this well-known hymn’s timeless message, I immediately begin tallying my tangible blessings.
Based on this approach, I think most of us can muster a decent list, even if it includes what we’d consider basics, such as, the sun rose this morning, I have food and clothing, and my dog doesn’t hate me.
Because God loves everyone everywhere, he is, in many ways, non-discriminatory with his generous blessings like sunshine and rain, family and opportunity.
There is, however, a whole other level on which to experience the goodness of God: “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.” (Eph 1:3).
This verse refers to blessings you can’t see or touch but receive in your spirit by faith.
And there is no suggestion that some people receive only the leftover dregs of blessing once God has distributed his goodness to those more deserving.
No. Every spiritual blessing is yours, in Christ.
Reading further in Ephesians 1, these blessings are described as, among others, being individually loved, chosen and adopted by God into his family; redemption and forgiveness; being showered with God’s grace and kindness; the gift of the Holy Spirit, and an eternal inheritance.
Although intangible, these blessings are also wonderfully beneficial to both soul and body.
The caveat to receiving these amazing blessings is that they’re only available through Christ.
You can never sidestep around Jesus, bypass the cross, or grasp God’s blessings without first laying down your own life.
But, in Christ, you have many blessings to count.
“All praise to God ... who has blessed us.”
United with Jesus through faith, we can never deny that we’re so very blessed by God.
~ Contributed by Pastor Lynette Kay of Ignite Life Church, on behalf of the Combined Churches of Deniliquin.
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