A Few Words: Blessings

Sunday, January 26, 2014

What to Do When You're Feeling Down?

Dove of the Holy Spirit (ca. 1660, alabaster, Throne of St. Peter, St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me.

Psalm 13:5-6

New International Version (NIV)

I know I have a great deal in my life for which to be thankful. How about you?

In times of sickness and adversity my earthly self may wonder why God has let me come to the point where I am. My prayers may seem to go unanswered. Time can seem like it might last forever when things are bad. And then I remember what forever is in God's terms.

Blessings in my life have been far more abundant than hardships. Many have had things far worse than I have. My life has been easy compared to what it might have been. In part I have the faith of my fathers to thank for my good life. My earthly father, my grandparents, and those ancestors of whom I have only heard and never known. Their faithfulness has been passed down to my generation and hopefully to the generations that may be yet to come in my family line.

Then there is my own faithfulness. Sometimes I have been weak and rebellious. And there have been more sins than I want to admit. But our God has provided me salvation in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. For God has loved you and me so much that he forgives us when we come to him in repentance.

God has been good to us all and we should rejoice in that. Let us bow before Him and let His Will be done in us. The earthly realm will take its tolls on us, but God will give us our greatest rewards.

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares upon Him, for He careth for you.

1 Peter 5:6-7

21st Century King James Version (KJ21)

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Blessing Our Children's Children

He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea were hushed.

Psalm 107:29

New International Version (NIV)

The recent storm Sandy has been a trying and difficult ordeal for many. Three of my daughters who live in New Jersey with their husbands and my two granddaughters fortunately escaped harm. They're all still young and I suppose this will be another adventure for them to remember in future years. But you can believe than I was praying for them. God is good.

In a few passages of the Bible there is mention that the faithfulness and righteousness of earlier generations will bestow protection and blessings upon the generations that follow. I think my family has experienced that blessing. My father was very close to the Lord and I know he prayed for his children often. There have been many members on both sides of my family who were very Godly Christians and I think that I and my offspring are all reaping the benefits of that faithfulness.

My life has weathered many storms of physical and a spiritual natures. I have always managed to come through them safely--sometimes seemingly miraculously. I give thanks to God first and foremost, but I'm glad that someone in my past was blessing the future. May those blessings continue.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.