From our hymnals we sing a hymn titled, “Count Your Blessings” – from which the chorus proclaims, “Count your blessings; name them one by one, count your many blessings see what God hath done.” But how many of us really [count] our blessings on a daily basis – naming them one-by-one? And then the question must be asked, “What do you consider a [blessing] to be?”
Do you consider something to be a blessing only if it seems “good” at the moment? Do you consider something to be a blessing only if you are “content” or “satisfied” at the moment?
In Philippians 4:11-12 the apostle Paul stated,
“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”
In James 1:2 we are commanded,
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.”
And in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 we are commanded,
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
Yet, how many of us ever consider that the trials and testing of our faith are a blessing?
Consider the words of 1 Peter 1:6-9,
“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”
In 2 Corinthians 11:24-28 the apostle Paul recalled the hardships that he encountered,
“Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.”
And yet he proclaimed in 2 Timothy 1:12,
“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”
Now that we have discussed blessings from the perspective of trials and testing, let’s look at blessings from a provisional or prosperity perspective. Too often we overlook the fact that the Scriptures proclaim that God will supply our needs.
Philippians 4:19 states,
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Often the Lord supplies our needs by “stretching our money“. “How,” you might ask? He does so by keeping us healthy – so that we don’t have to spend money on doctors; keeping our vehicles operational – so that we don’t have to spend money on repairs; keeping the things in our homes operational. And then, let us not forget that He provides us jobs – whereby we can pay our bills, put food on the table, put clothes on our backs, and yes, to be able to make needed repairs when something does break down. All of this falls under “God’s supply according to His riches.” And yes, the Lord does at times provide us our “wants” – through His bountiful blessings.
The next time you sing the words, “Count your blessings – name them one by one,” why not do so from a heart of thanksgiving that realizes that we have a Heavenly Father who cares for us in our trials as well as in our prosperity. Let us learn to “Count our many blessings – and [see] what God hath done”!
