We know the hymn. Perhaps it is one of your favorites. How could it not be? We reference it often, as it is a needed reminder (from the eloquent pen of Johnson Oatman, Jr.) that we need to count our blessings, even (or maybe especially) when we are “tempest-tossed” on “life’s billows,” when we are “discouraged,” “burdened” or “amid the conflict.”
To actually “count” our blessings and “name them one by one” would be an impossible task. But let me offer you a vantage on something that you already know but to see them as BLESSINGS—true blessings. Let’s consider them ONE by ONE.
Blessing #1: There is ONE GOD (Eph. 4:6). There are people in the world who believe in a multiplicity of gods. How confusing must that be? You understand this truth: “The Lord our God, the Lord is one”
(Deut. 6:4), and “there is no other God but one” (1 Cor. 8:4).
Blessing #2: There is ONE LORD (Eph. 4:5). People today serve all sorts of “masters” (cf. Matt. 6:24), even their own “lusts and pleasures” (Tit. 3:3). You are blessed to know and serve “the Lord of lords” (Rev. 17:14).
Blessing #3: There is ONE SPIRIT (Eph. 4:4). Folks today seem to go off in so many directions, but Jesus sent “the Spirit of truth” (only one!) to guide the apostles into “all truth” (only one!) (John 16:13). What a blessing to know the one revealed way that is pleasing to God (Matt. 7:14, 21), given to us by His one Spirit and not man (2 Pet. 1:20-21).
Blessing #4: There is ONE FAITH (Eph. 4:5). Many today believe that truth is subjective (“my truth” and “your truth”). How confusing! How blessed are you to have and to know God’s singular, objective truth given to us in His Word (John 8:32; 17:17) and delivered in its fullness (Jude 3).
Blessing #5: There is ONE CHURCH (Eph. 4:4). With thousands of manmade denominations in existence, it can be very confusing to “pick a church.” What a blessing to know and be part of Jesus’ one church, which He built (Matt. 16:18), purchased (Acts 20:28) and approves today (1 Cor. 1:10-13).
Blessing #6: There is ONE BAPTISM (Eph. 4:5). While man has complicated God’s simple plan, you are blessed to know that the Lord only taught (Mark 16:16), authorized (Acts 2:38) and accepts (Acts 19:4-5) His one baptism of immersion (Col. 2:12) for the purpose of washing away sins (Acts 22:16).
Blessing #7: There is ONE HOPE (Eph. 4:4). Count your blessings, name them ONE by ONE! There are a lot of “ONE” blessings we enjoy, but perhaps none is more joyful to consider than the “living” (1 Pet. 1:3) “hope of eternal life” (Tit. 1:2; 3:7) of being with Christ (Phil. 2:19) forever (1 Thess. 4:17).