The song “Count Your Many Blessings” has been a blessing to many for many years. “When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings; name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord has done. Count your blessings; Name them one by one. Count your many blessings; See what God hath done. Count your blessings; Name them one by one. Count your many blessings; See what God hath done” (Words: Johnson Oatman Jr. – Music: Edwin O. Excell).
As I thought about this song I thought why not make several lists and count them. Problem: The song states to name them one by one. As you pause and think you will also thank God for what He hath done. As you name them one by one it will surprise you what the Lord hath done. Focus on your growing list and keep adding more and more and you will keep being surprised to see what the Lord hath done. As you count, pause, and consider how many great things he hath done for you (1 Samuel 12:24).
Don’t focus on what you have lost, but see what you have left. Don’t focus on problems, but focus on His provisions. Don’t focus on your burdens, but focus on His blessings. Don’t focus on bitterness but focus on blessings. As name them one by one it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
A condensed Illustration: Jack Hinton was on a short-term mission’s trip to the island of Tobago. As he led the music he asked if anyone had a request. A woman who had been facing away from the pulpit slowly turned around. As she turned he saw her nose, lips and ears were entirely gone. She lifted a fingerless hand in the air and asked, “Can we sing Count Your Many Blessings?” It was at that point that the whole mission team experienced something that they had never experienced before. Here was a lady, with relatively nothing to be thankful for, asking to sing Count Your Many Blessings. At first they couldn’t even lead the song, and then they sang it with new meaning. Later someone ask Jack if he would be able to sing that song again. “Yes I will, but I’ll never sing it the same way again.” (Sermoncentral.com).
Well it’s time to count your blessings and name them one by one. So let’s count our many blessings and see what the Lord hath done: Blessing #1 “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah” (Psa. 68:19). Blessing #2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Psa. 103:2). Blessing #3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3) …4…5… 10…100…1000…10000… and still counting. Let’s count our blessings – Selah!
