Feeling Blessed

Scripture:

Rom. 4:7     “Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven,
        and whose sins are covered;
Rom. 4:8     blessed is the one against whom the Lord will not reckon sin.”

Observation:

This passage begins with Paul talking about our great father Abraham and, while he was a good man, this was not enough to save him.  Instead it was his faith and trust in God that led him through life. 

Next we find David - a man after God’s own heart.  And yet, it wasn’t about David’s works, for we know there were times when he failed in his fidelity before God.  Instead it was the grace of God that allowed David to have this deeply personal relationship with Yahweh.

At this point I think Paul gets “blessed” as he quotes from David:

Psa. 32:1     Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven,
        whose sin is covered.
Psa. 32:2     Happy are those to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity,
        and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

Application:

This is a week in which many people, typically, take the time to stop and “count their blessings!”  Often we begin with the material things in life.  These are all the tangibles that we can see, touch and smell.  Those generally expand to the relationships around us. 

But then there is another realm into which Paul invites us to participate.  This is the realm of thanksgiving for things spiritual.  Far too often I’m afraid we take these things for granted. 

What if we stepped into this moment with Paul today and truly celebrated the spiritual blessings of life. 

Our sins have been forgiven!

Our sins have been covered!

We are no longer considered guilty for the things that we have done.
There is a joy and lightheartedness we receive when we are saved and set free from the things of life which had tied us down.  We have the indescribable joy and privilege to be in a face to face and nose to nose relationship with our Creator God — just like Abraham.  We are touched by the deep love of God to the depths of our being that we want to sing with David songs of praise and thanksgiving. 

Paul, in his letter to the Philippians put it all in perspective when he referred to the things of the world as garbage:

Phil. 3:8 More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ
Phil. 3:9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith.

I’m with Paul today — feeling extremely blessed.  There is nothing the world has to offer that can compare with what he has done for us.  Are you counting your true blessings?

Prayer:

Lord, I am grateful to overflowing for your blessings.  Amen.