Dear beloved family in Christ

I remember growing up as a young Christian teenager, we often sang this beautiful hymn “Count Your Blessings” at church services. Let me share the first stanza.

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 hath done.
Count your blessings, Name them one by one. Count your blessings, See what God hath done.
Count your blessings, Name them one by one. Count your many blessings, See what God hath done.

This hymn was written in 1897 by prolific hymn-writer Johnson Oatman Junior, in partnership with well-known gospel music composer E.O. Excell. It has become a classic over the past 125 years and generally considered to be Oatman’s finest hymn. This hymn has encouraged millions of Christians all over the world to count their blessings and be surprised by all that God had done for them, especially in the midst of difficulties and struggles in life. Someone had reflected that this hymn is “like a beam of sunlight, it has brightened up the dark places of the earth.” During the great revival in Wales (1904-05), “Count Your Blessings” was sung at every service, along with Welsh favourites such as “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” and “O That Will be Glory”.

During these challenging times, may we take time to reflect on God’s bountiful blessings in our life. Even as some of us may be going through painful struggles and difficulties in life, may you experience God’s spiritual blessings of His love, joy and peace in your hearts. May you lean on Abba Father closely for his sufficient grace and empowering strength day by day.

May our hearts be filled with gratitude to God for all his gracious blessings, like king David in Psalm 103:1-5: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

Blessings
Pastor John