Count Your Blessings!

by Rev. ‘Debo Onabanjo

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.  Bless the Lord, O my soul and do not forget all his benefits” – Psalm 103:1-2

Read

Psalms 103:1-5, 8-14

Reflect

It is easy to whine and complain when things are not going the way we like or prefer them to go.  Many of us are not comfortable with the fact that we have been compelled to stay at home due to the ongoing measures to help contain the spread of the Coronavirus. 

Yes, trips have been canceled and vacation plans with the kids during Spring Break have been set aside to safeguard our health and that of those we love. We have even taken the unprecedented steps to suspend in-person public worship in our Churches, but we must be thankful that we can leverage technology to remain in fellowship with our brothers and sisters. 

Even though this current situation is imposing a new normal on all of us, what if we intentionally use this opportunity to do some much-needed reflection?

In today’s passage, David took some time to reflect and came up with a list of some of his undeserved blessings from God.  David reminded his soul not to forget the Lord’s benefits to him. Don’t we all need to be reminded to give thanks all the time? 

David had reasons to be thankful to the Lord who brought him from the wilderness tending sheep to become King and shepherd the Lord’s people. When was the last time you thanked the Lord for forgiving your sins, for healing you from that illness when all hope seemed lost, and for keeping you from diseases and unseen dangers? 

Instead of spending our time complaining, we can choose to spend time reflecting on the things we are thankful for. So I challenge you today to count your blessings. Involve members of your family, and you will be surprised by what the Lord has done.

“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.” (Johnson Oatman Jr.) 

Respond

God in heaven, thank you so much for your innumerable blessings to me.  I confess that I take your blessings in my life for granted. Help me to cultivate an attitude of gratitude in all seasons of life, knowing You are always with me.  I know that during and after the storms of life, you are always in control. Thank you for the free gift of salvation that is mine in Jesus Christ. Let me never take this for granted.   I rejoice in you, in the name of Jesus my brother and friend, Amen.

Remember

List ten things that you are grateful to the Lord for. Share them with family and friends.

Comment below or use a journal to record how God is with you each day of this journey.