Thank You Lord For Your Blessings On Me
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” Ephesians 1:3
Fall is finally here and this is the month of thankfulness and really looking at the many blessings that God has given us. The first thing that popped in my mind was the song “Thank You Lord For Your Blessings On Me”. Have you ever really looked at the words to this song? Sister Deb is always instructing the choir to “not just sing the songs, but ‘listen’ to the words of the songs that they are singing.” Well I admit I’m guilty when I’m playing the piano, I seem to get so caught up in the playing of the notes that I don't look at the words and then I lose the entire meaning of the song. So I decided to make a point of really focusing on the words of each song I play. So I started with taking a deeper look into “Thank You Lord For Your Blessings on Me”
Verse 1 – Part I – The World’s View - Materialism
“As the world looks upon me, as I struggle along
They say I have nothing…”
One of the worst things we face today is materialism, which, quite simply, is giving too much emphasis on material possessions rather than spiritual things. The world likes to judge us on how many material things we have and the quality thereof. They seem to think that if we don’t have a large immaculate home, drive a new expensive car, or wear the latest fashion then we must be struggling. Money is the main source of their joy, and they seem to never be satisfied with how much they have, but Jesus said,
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” – Matthew: 6:19-21 KJV
What the world doesn't see is that money really cannot give us anything. As long as people believe that money will bring us happiness, they will always be disappointed.
Loving money is expensive. It can cost you your family, precious time, and of course your relationship with God. God created us to love people and use things, but materialism leads us to love things and use people. Some would say that Satan's greatest resource in his effort to take our focus off God is money. Satan is smart enough to know we will never directly worship him, so he tries to tempt us to worship and depend on something, anything else but God. But just remember, the love of money is an empty love...it can't love you back. God can and does.
Verse 1 – Part II – The Christian View – Contentment with God’s Love
“…But they are so wrong
In my heart I’m rejoicing how I wish they could see
Thank You Lord for Your blessings on me”
The Lord provides all our needs and our heart should rejoice in what we have, not be burdened by what we don’t. That doesn’t mean having a nice house, new car or expensive clothes is wrong, but it means that the things we have should be used to glorify and honor God. It becomes wrong when our material possessions become more important to us than God. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10:31
“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Being content with God's Love brings blessings, such as joy in the present and satisfaction in the simple things of life. Contentment brings a sense of sufficiency and a peaceful pace that proves "more" is not the focus of your thinking. You have a life--what a privilege to be alive in this world!
The joy in the Lord which we must aim for is not a superficial happiness based on circumstances or on the absence of trials, but rather is a solid, abiding contentment and hope that is as steady and certain as our faithful God who has given us His promises in His Word.
Verse 2 – Staying Content
“I know I’m not wealthy and these clothes they’re not new
And I don’t have much money, but Lord I have You.
And to me that’s all that matters, though the world may not see
Thank You Lord for Your blessings on me”
Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to be content like the apostle Paul?
“I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of contentment in every situation, whether it be a full stomach or hunger, plenty or want:” Philippians 4:12 TLB
Paul knew how to be content in the highs and lows, in abundance and in need, in plenty and in hunger. He did not write these words from a plush office but from a prison in the ancient Roman Empire. Paul learned from personal experience that our joy in the Lord does not depend on having things go our way, or on having everything we want, but on whether or not we are "in the Lord". So what’s the secret to being that content? A close relationship with Christ. We need to remember that all of our stuff will one day pass away from us, but a relationship with Christ is eternal. Contentment is rooted in eternity. If all the grains of sands on all the beaches in all the world represent eternity, then one grain of sand represents our life on earth. We are over here grinding this one grain of sand, our time on earth, to get everything out of it, and failing miserably! Too often we ignore all that God has in store for us. Take an inventory, not of your stuff, but of the time you spend dealing with your stuff. Buying, maintaining, insuring, fixing, cleaning, etc. How does that compare with the time you spend with Christ? Think about it!
But don't expect to contentment to happen overnight. Paul's contentment was something he learned, and it is something we can learn too. We need to begin with making a choice at a moment. Then another choice, and another. It happens moment by moment. When a desire for something comes into your mind, you can consider it and think "Not necessary, I have enough"...that's contentment.
Chorus – The Things We Truly Need
“There’s a roof up above me, I’ve a good place to sleep
There’s food on my table and shoes on my feet
You gave me Your love Lord and Your fine family
Thank You Lord for Your blessings on me.”
What do we really NEED here on earth. Food, shelter and clothes? The most important of all…we need the love of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior in our lives.
“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” 1 Timothy 6:6-8 ESV
I look back at my life and I encourage you to do the same. I sure have a lot of wants, but to be completely honest with myself, I really have all that I need. I have not only a roof above me, but I am blessed with a nice warm and cozy house that keeps me out of the weather and that is filled with a loving family. I am blessed with a good place to sleep and plenty of food (and with a mom who can cook!). I am blessed with many pairs of shoes, not just the ones on my feet. But most of all, I am blessed to have Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior in my heart, and that above all makes me rich! Thank You Lord For Your Blessings On ME!
Do you see the blessings of contentment in your life? If you're content, simple things make you happy. Like a nice walk. Go for a walk this week with a member of your family, and hold his or her hand. Talk about what's important. Enjoy the simple pleasures--have a loving conversation, eat a good meal together, enjoy a nice song. Take in all the blessings that the Lord has in store for us.
“The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.” Proverbs 10:22 ESV
I will leave you with a comment I heard many years ago that has always stuck in my mind and I hope you will also remember it.
"If you woke up tomorrow and the only things you had were what you thanked God for today, what would you have left?"
