Sometimes the best way to define a word is to look at the word which stands in opposition to it. We use the words “blessed” or “blessing” so often and in so many ways that we lose track of their exact meaning. Take a moment and look at the words that are the opposite words—cursed and cursing.
Think of the emphasis the Bible gives to those who fail to find His favor and blessings and come under judgment. “The Lord is angry with the wicked every day” (Psa. 7:11). “Even his prayer is an abomination” (Prov. 28:9). “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31). “A certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries” (Heb. 10:27). This is the opposite of being blessed by God and finding favor in His sight. A simple definition of the word “blessed” is that it means “happy.” But, that word is too “simple” to see how magnificently blessed it is when we find His blessed favor.
The words of the song, “Blessed Assurance,” were first published 150 years ago. The fact that is so often sung today is evidence of how so many have rejoiced in the fact that we live under His favor and find great hope in Him. It was written by Fanny J. Crosby, who was blind from six weeks old. Mrs. Crosby wrote at least 4,000 hymns, possibly 8,000.
The first stanza of “Blessed Assurance” describes how wonderful it is to be His child. “Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine!” It then looks at specific ways we are blessed—“heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.” Read these phrases again and think soberly about how they express the blessing of having His favor.
The second stanza speaks of the perfect delight which we have when we submit to Him and His control of our lives. It looks upward to see the rapturous blessings of vision depicted as angels descending from heaven to bring them. Two specific blessings are mentioned— “echoes of mercy” and “whispers of love.”
The third stanza turns our hearts to the peace we have. “Perfect submission, all is at rest.” In Christ, we are “happy and blest, watching and waiting, looking above, filled with His goodness, lost in His love.”
Is there any wonder why the chorus speaks of this blessed assurance being our story and our song? We are “praising my Savior all the day long.”
There is so much depth in the meaning of songs which for centuries have stirred the hearts of others. They have become part of the “psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” today. Think of the words of these songs, and let them lift you upward toward heaven.