As we have just had the privilege of Thanksgiving, we are now full speed ahead into Christmas and New Years. It may have been easy for you to celebrate and thank the Lord for His blessings this last week. It will be special to celebrate our Savior's birth and then welcome in a New Year. In this pause though, I want you to take a moment with me to consider the "Personal Blessings of God", which we enjoy as His own, here are 5, I want you to see:
1) The personal blessing of absolution
Psalm 103:3a NKJV
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Only one can absolve sins and that is God, through His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Matthew 9:6 NKJV
...that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”
Have you been forgiven? Do you know the peace of a pardoned life?
Look at how David said it Psalm 32:1 NKJV
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.
Can you itemize in your life the blessings of God? Forgiveness is a basic to all other blessings. Without forgiveness nothing else can follow.
The Duke of Wellington was about to pronounce the death sentence on a confirmed deserter. Deeply moved, the great general said: “I am extremely sorry to pass this severe sentence, but we have tried everything, and all the discipline and penalties have failed to improve this man who is otherwise a brave and good soldier.”
Then he gave the man’s comrades an opportunity to speak for him. “Please, your Excellency,” said one of the men, “there is one thing you have never tried, you have not tried forgiving him.”
The general forgave him and it worked; the soldier never again deserted and ever after showed his gratitude to the Iron Duke.
2) The personal blessing of restoration
Psalm 103: 3b NKJV
Who heals all your diseases,
The main idea of this statement is moral defilement. Certainly, the thought of sickness is not entirely absent in this statement from absolution to restoration.
In the first epistle written by John, we read these words in 1 John 1:9 NKJV
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Forgiveness is absolution, cleansing is restoration. It is while walking in the light of obedience that the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, continually cleanses and restores.
3) The personal blessing of elevation
Psalm 103:4a NKJV
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Look also at Psalm 40:1-2 NKJV at how David had the same thought in mind-
1 I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry.
2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps.
Thank God, for the elevated place to which He brings His people. Paul said it this way in
Ephesians 2:6 NKJV-
...raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
4) The personal blessing of coronation
Psalm 103:4b NKJV
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
The words here are a metaphor for the common custom of the time of wearing wreaths and garlands on festive occasions. God has elevated us as seen in Revelation 1:6 NKJV-
has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
5) The personal blessing of satisfaction
Psalm 103:5 NKJV
Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Look at how the prophet described this thought in Isaiah 40:31 NKJV-
But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
A father and his little girl were walking together one clear, wintry night. The little girl said, “Father, I am going to count the stars.” The father heard her count to 225, then he heard her sigh, “O dear, I had no idea there were so many. I don’t believe I can ever count them all."
The wise father answered, “The stars are just like God’s benefits. God showers us with His blessings and benefits day by day. There are so many of them that we can never count them all.”
These are personal blessings that we can itemize. Never forget or overlook what God is constantly doing for us through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Have a blessed day and we look forward to seeing again next week with another thought to ponder.
In God's Grace,
Elbert Nasworthy
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