Do you remember the scene in White Christmas when the sisters sing “Count Your Blessings?” The chorus lyrics are especially good. “If you’re worried and you can’t sleep, just count your blessings instead of sheep and you’ll fall asleep counting your blessings” This is great advice and not only for insomniacs. It’s a terrific practice to get in bed each night and thank God for the many blessings of the day. Of course, we do not need to limit ourselves to a certain hour to call to mind the ways God has been faithful or has intervened in various situations.
In the Old and New Testaments people are instructed to remember how God acted on their behalf. In Deuteronomy 6 and Nehemiah 9 we see examples of the Israelites recounting the blessings of God. They spell out God’s promises to Abraham, God bringing them out of Egypt where they were slaves and much more. Despite the repeated cycle of disobedience by his chosen people, hardship and then crying out to him for help, God always proves to be faithful. “In all that has happened to us, you have remained righteous; you have acted faithfully, while we acted wickedly.” (Nehemiah 9:33)
Have you ever taken the time to sit down and consider the ways that God has guided events in your life? What if you did not go to that school or take that job? What if you did not meet that person or become involved in that church? Almost like watching “It’s a Wonderful Life,” it is interesting to ponder the ways that other people have touched our lives and vice versa. If we take the time to think about it we will notice amazing things that God has done for us. By writing these things down it can be an encouragement for our children and the younger generation. “In the future, when your son asks you, ‘What is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the Lord our God has commanded you?’ tell him: ‘We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Before our eyes the Lord sent miraculous signs and wonders – great and terrible – upon Egypt and Pharaoh and his household. But he brought us out from there to bring us in and give us the land that he promised on oath to our forefathers.” (Deuteronomy 6:20-23) This week let’s each write a list of the ways we have witnessed God’s faithfulness in our lives and share it with at least one person.
celiastone 