A Look At The Blessings God Provides For His People

There is nothing wrong with the music they sing in churches these days with worship teams and a band etc.   But many many times I miss the hymns that we used to sing when I was much younger.  Many of them I learned singing with my Dad.  And along with the music of the older hymns I miss the messages that they provide.  Many times when I am driving or alone a particular old hymn will come to mind.  I don't always remember all the words but enough to get the message.


Hymns like this one:

1. 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.
   • Refrain:
     Count your blessings, name them one by one,
     Count your blessings, see what God has done!
     Count your blessings, name them one by one,
     *Count your many blessings, see what God has done.
     [*And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.]
2. Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
   Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
   Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
   And you will keep singing as the days go by.
3. When you look at others with their lands and gold,
   Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
   Count your many blessings—*money cannot buy [*wealth can never buy]
   Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
4. 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.

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So today an in-depth look at the blessing that God provides for his children and his

followers

1) WHAT/WHOM DOES GOD BLESS ?  

a) Nature

Genesis 1:22

God blessed them and said be fruitful and multiply and increase in number and fill the water in the seas and let birds increase on the earth.

2) THE SABBATH

Exodus 20:11

For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day.  Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy,

C) THE WORK OF HIS PEOPLE

Deuteronomy 28:8

The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and everything you put your hands to.

The Lord Your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.

Deuteronomy 28:12

The Lord will open the heavens, the store house of his bounty to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands.  You will lend to many nations but borrow from none.

D) GOD BLESSES HUMANITY IN GENERAL

Genesis 1: 28

God blessed them and said to them be fruitful and increase in number, fill the earth and subdue it.  Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living  creature that moves on the ground

E) GOD BLESSES GOD FEARING INDIVIDUALS

Psalm 1: 1 - 3

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers

But whose delight is in the law of the Lord and who meditates on his law day and night

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.

Whatever they do prospers.

Proverbs 3:13

Blessed are they who find wisdom, those who gain understanding

Proverbs 16:20

Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.

F) GOD BLESSES THOSE WHO LIVE BY GODLY PRINCIPLES

Psalm 41:1

Blessed are those who have regard for the weak

The Lord delivers them in the time of trouble

Proverbs 14:21

It is a sin to despise one's neighbour but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.

Mathew 5: 3 - 11