Count Your Blessings

But then I recall all you have done, O Lord;
I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.
Psalm 77:11 (NLT)

One of the recurring themes I’ve found on my sojourns through the Old Testament is exactly what Asaph does in his lyric of this psalm by “recalling all you have done, O Lord.” Time and time again the writers recount the many things God did as chronicled in the writings. One of my teachers once told me that the people of ancient Israel “walked backwards into the future” as their constant looking back and remembrance of all God had done before gave them faith to continue moving forward.

I was reminded this morning of an old hymn we would sing in church growing up which admonished us to “count your blessings, name them one by one.” It’s the same principle. Often, when the road ahead is dark and scary, the best prescription for moving forward is a long glance back to remember God’s faithfulness in bringing me this far. As I recall specific instances of grace, deliverance, forgiveness, and provision I find strength to take the next step.

A Lesson in Asaph’s Unique Lyric Style (tomvanderwell.wordpress.com)
When You Meditate You Do God’s Will (lunaticoutpost.com)
The Healthy Act of Human Expression (tomvanderwell.wordpress.com)
Doubt And Fear (devog.wordpress.com)
Help in Trouble (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
A Scared Child Clinging to His Father’s Hand (tomvanderwell.wordpress.com)

Long Road in Montana — Image by Stuck in Customs via Flickr

God, your God, has blessed you in everything you have done. He has guarded you in your travels through this immense wilderness. For forty years now, God, your God, has been right here with you. You haven’t lacked one thing. Deuteronomy 2:7 (MSG)

A week or so ago our family was gathered for dinner and somewhere in the middle of the conversation my parents began to reminisce about some specific ways God had been good to our family, recalling particular instances when God worked in mysterious, even miraculous ways.

I was glad for the conversation and glad for my daughters there, hearing the stories. I have my own stories to share as I look back over 45 years. Some of them I’ve told and some they likely have yet to hear. It’s good to know how God’s faithfulness extends through generations. Today’s chapter is one of a regular stream of instances in which God tells the people to remember all that He’s done for them.

As my mind wanders back to being a child spending Sundays at the dinner table with my parents and grandparents, I remember sitting in church singing a sweet little hymn:

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
Count your blessings name them one by one.
Count your blessings see what God has done.

And so, like Moses and his followers, I let my mind wander back over 40+ years and remember all the ways I’m incredibly blessed. Counting blessings is a great attitude adjuster.