Inventory of Blessings

Ichthys

Inventory of Blessings

March 15

Almost everyone is familiar with John Newton’s famous hymn Amazing Grace, and many know its story. But few know that Newton was not only a poet and preacher, he was a prodigious letter writer. Among his correspondents was a wealthy nobleman to whom Newton wrote 26 letters. In the 15th, written on April 20, 1774, Newton describes the joy of being a Christian, quoting from and elaborating on Psalm 73:24:

What a comfort, what an honour is this, that worms have liberty to look up to God, and that He, the high and holy One who inhabiteth eternity, is pleased to look down upon us, to maintain our peace, to supply our wants, to guide us with His eye, to inspire us with wisdom and grace suitable to our occasions! Those who profess to know something of this fellowship and to depend upon it, are by the world accounted enthusiasts who know not what they mean, or perhaps hypocrites who pretend to what they have not in order to cover some base designs. But we have reason to bear their reproaches with patience.

Let them rage, let them, if they please, point at me for a fool as I walk the streets; if I do but take up the Bible, or run over in my mind the inventory of the blessings with which the Lord has enriched me, I have sufficient amends. Jesus is mine; in Him I have wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption,—an interest in all the promises and in all the perfections of God.

He will guide me by His counsel, support me by His power, comfort me with His presence, while I am here; and afterwards, when flesh and heart fail, He will receive me to His glory.

Today’s Suggested Reading Psalm 73:21–28 You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Psalm 73:24

Morgan, R. J. (2000, c1998). From this verse  : 365 scriptures that changed the world (electronic ed.) (March 15). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.