Count Your Blessings
The sermon encourages listeners to intentionally look for and appreciate the blessings in their lives, both personally and nationally.
John Henry Jowett emphasizes the importance of counting our blessings in every area of our lives, including personal struggles and disappointments, as well as the blessings inherited from the sacrifices of those who came before us. He encourages the congregation to search for tokens of the Lord's presence even in the darkest patches of life, reminding them that mercies abound on every hand.
Text
PSALM cv. 1-15.
"Count your blessings!" Yes, but over what area shall I look for them?
There is my personal life. Let me search in every corner. I have found
forget-me-nots on many a rutty road. I have found wild-roses behind a
barricade of nettles. Professor Miall has a lecture on "The Botany of a
Railway Station." He found something graceful and exquisite in the midst
of its soot and grime. So I must look even in the dark patches of life,
among my disappointments and defeats, and even there I shall find tokens
of the Lord's presence, some flowers of His planting.
And there is my share in the life of the nation. "Ye seed of Abraham His
servant, ye children of Jacob His chosen." There are hands that stretch
out to me from past days, laden with bequests of privilege and freedom.
Our feet "stand in a large place," and the place was cleared by the
fidelity and the courage of the men of old. I have countless blessings
that were bought with blood. The red marks of sacrifice are over all my
daily ways. Let me not take the inheritance and overlook the blood marks,
and stride about as though it were nought but common ground. Mercies
abound on every hand! "Count your blessings!"
Sermon Outline
- Count Your Blessings
- National Life
- Personal Life
- The Dark Patches of Life
- Hands Reaching Out from Past Days
- The Inheritance Bought with Blood
Key Quotes
“I have found forget-me-nots on many a rutty road.” — John Henry Jowett
“Let me not take the inheritance and overlook the blood marks, and stride about as though it were nought but common ground.” — John Henry Jowett
“Mercies abound on every hand!” — John Henry Jowett
Application Points
- Make a conscious effort to look for and appreciate the good things in your life, even in difficult circumstances.
- Remember the sacrifices that were made for you and appreciate the freedom and privilege you enjoy.
- Express gratitude and thankfulness for the blessings in your life.