7th-13th July 2025
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
I’m sure you’ve heard this familiar phrase from someone at various points in your life and it can certainly get a mixed reception depending on the tone and circumstance. I remember singing the hymn as a child in church and the chorus bumps around my brain every now and then, probably more so when things are feeling a bit tight or uncertain. It can feel like an emotional fix-it, a sticking plaster in the pain of a moment but I wonder if we could take a look at blessing this week and see what God wants to say to us about it.
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..
Written by Sharon Seymour
MONDAY
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. “
Ephesians 1:3
Back in our tied series in Ephesians, right at the beginning of the book, we were reminded that we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ. There then follows a list of all the benefits we have been given when we are in relationship with Him – we are chosen to be holy and blameless; we are adopted into God’s family; we have forgiveness of sins; we have a purpose; we are given the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our right standing before God. If that old hymn prompts us to count our blessings, then perhaps this is a good place to start. These are unchanging truths in our lives and they urge us to lift our eyes to the one who has us in the palm of His hand wherever we find ourselves just now.
Prayer
Loving Father, thank you that you were thinking of me before the world was created and you have a plan and purpose for my life. Help me to grasp onto this today when circumstances around me shift unpredictably and life feels insecure. You are unchanging and your promises stand firm forever. Help me to trust you today. Amen.
TUESDAY
'Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases'
Psalms 103:2-3
The whole of this Psalm reminds us of the gracious character of God; of His forgiveness, love, compassion, justice, patience and mercy. What a blessing to be loved by Him. Sometimes when we get overwhelmed or caught up in busy-ness, we lose sight of the blessings that God lavishes on us. If today feels like “one of those days”, then take a moment to stop, reset and meditate on this verse.
Prayer
Father, as I walk through this day, remind of the blessing of being your child. Lift my eyes above the humdrum and noise to see “all your benefits”. Thank you that as Creator God you know we are dust, yet you have compassion on us. Help me to rest in the light of this truth today. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
'“Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”'
Romans 4:7-8
We are blessed because we are forgiven. Is this not the most humbling, yet liberating and motivating place to sit? Our sins are covered and the slate wiped clean. This is the foundation on which we can stand before a Holy God.
Prayer
Thank you, Holy God, for this overwhelming blessing – I’m forgiven because of the sacrifice of your Son and you no longer hold a record of my sins against me. I pray that I’ll get a glimpse of this reality today and that it will influence how I live for you today. Amen.
RANSOMED, HEALED, RESTORED, FORGIVEN
THURSDAY
'Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted...'
Proverbs 11:11a
Have you considered how you can be a blessing to others? Blessings are not just something we receive; we can give them to others and, in fact, we are instructed by Paul in Romans 12:14 to bless even those who persecute us, not just our friends and loved ones.
How do we bless others? We can pray and use scripture in our prayers over them; we can encourage them with our words; we can bless with our actions and attitudes – kindness reaches people in a memorable way; we can forgive others as we have been forgiven. Reflecting the blessings we have received onto others brings God into the conversation, the workplace, the neighbourhood in a tangible, transformative way.
Prayer
Lord, as I go about my day show me how I can be a blessing to those I meet. Help me to be sensitive to the prompting of your Holy Spirit and open my eyes to the opportunities I have to show love, kindness, forgiveness and encouragement to those around me, even the people I find it hard to warm to or who have given me a hard time. I remember that you loved me first when I was unlovable. Thank you. Amen.
FRIDAY
'And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. '
2 Corinthians 9:8
We read here that in blessing us, God equips us to carry out good works for Him. The context here was Paul prompting the Corinthians to live generous lives and, in being generous, God would use them to meet the material and spiritual needs of others. How is God challenging you and I to live generously today? Do you know of a need that you can meet with a financial gift? Does someone need your time to listen to them as they share their concerns or difficulties? Can you pray with someone? Is there a ministry you can support that will bring the gospel to more people? We know that generous living is a heart response to all that God has done for us, so let’s not hesitate when we see an opportunity to give from what we have been blessed with.
Prayer
Lord, we only stand before you because you gave your Son for us. You have shown us unfathomable generosity. Help us to respond to your blessing by living generously towards others you bring across our paths. Loosen our grip on our time, money and possessions so that we can use them for your kingdom and your glory. Amen.
SATURDAY
'Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. '
Psalms 34:8
Today we’ll spend a moment or two meditating on the goodness of the Lord. He invites us to “taste and see”, to experience it for ourselves. His goodness is seen in this psalm through His provision of refuge, a place of comfort and security and help in times of difficulty or distress. When stressful situations take hold, we can find it difficult to trust ourselves to make good choices. We may not even know where to start. Here the psalmist encourages us to look at the Lord for that place of calm and safety, to step out of the turmoil and into His goodness. Later in the psalm we’re told,
'The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry;’ Psalm 34:15.
Prayer
Today, Father, I cry out to you for help and comfort. You know the fears and anxieties I have today, maybe every day. Right now I hand these over to you. I run to take refuge in you and your perfect goodness. Even at this time of distress and worry, you want to bless me and walk with me through it. Thank you. Amen.
SUNDAY
‘“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’
Numbers 6:24-26
As we end this week of counting our blessings and considering how we can live generously, reflecting blessing onto others, perhaps you have a fresh insight into all that God has done for you in the heavenly realms and here on earth. Maybe you’ve been prompted to bless others as He has blessed you.
I love this image of the Lord turning His face towards us and giving us peace. It overflows with love and mercy, with kindness and security. In your prayer today, meditate on these words, maybe even sing them if you know the tune, and bask in the light of His face shining upon you. Amen.