March 19

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.

HERE is the quality of these blessings: “Spiritual blessings.” Here is their plenitude: “all” Spiritual blessings. Here is their residence: “in heavenly places.” Here is their security: “in Him.” The grand thing is to be blessed of God. Men bless only in words and wishes, God in results and communications, for “he commandeth the blessing, even life for evermore.” Of what avail, in the most important exigencies of life, would be the friendship of our fellow mortals, however powerful? But “the blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich,” and he “addeth no sorrow with it.” How vain the censure of the whole world if he should smile upon us! “Let them curse, but bless thou.” What are the revilings of men while he says to the soul, “I am thy salvation.”

His blessing is upon his people, upon all their concerns. He blesses even their temporal advantages and comforts; he “giveth them all things richly to enjoy.” He blesses, as it is said, “their bread and their water.” Hence “the little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.” He not only feeds his people, but feeds them with the “bread of life.” He not only clothes them, but clothes them with the “garments of salvation.” He not only makes them free, but “free indeed.” He not only enriches them, but bestows upon them the “unsearchable riches of Christ.” He makes them not only creatures, but “new creatures;” delivers them from the curse of the law, justifies them freely by his grace, renews them by his Holy Spirit, calls them to the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ, so that when “he shall appear they also shall appear with him in glory;” and now he gives them the earnests and first-fruits and foretastes of the heavenly inheritance, so that-

“The men of grace have found,

Glory begun below;

Celestial fruits on earthly ground,

From faith and hope may grow.

“The hill of Zion yields

A thousand sacred sweets;

Before we reach the heavenly fields,

Or walk the golden streets.”