Every Spiritual Blessing

Pray Psalm 95.1, 2, 6.
Oh come, let us sing to the LORD!
Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;
Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms…
Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.

Sing Psalm 95.1, 2, 6.
(Tidings: O Zion, Hast, Thy Mission High Fulfilling)
Come, let us sing with joy to God, our Savior!
Let us with joy to Him, our Rock, bow down!
Come now before Him, grateful for His favor;
let joyful psalms break forth from all around.
Refrain v. 6
Come let us worship, kneel to our LORD;
worship our Maker: Father, Holy Spirit, Word.

Read Ephesians 1.1-6; meditate on verse 3.
Focus on the word “blessings.” How do you think of blessings? What are spiritual blessings? What makes them blessings? Can we enjoy these? How?

Preparation
1. Where are all the spiritual blessings God has in store for us?

2. How should we respond to such spiritual blessings?

Meditation
If we’re honest, when we “count our blessings” we tend to think in material and temporal terms. Our spouse, family, home, daily provision, work, friends, church, health, freedoms, and so forth. And we should give thanks for all such blessings every day. God lavishes these benefits upon us out of the fullness of His grace. All that we have is from Him, and we must neither presume on His kindness nor take these blessings for granted.

But by far the more superior blessings we have are spiritual. That is, they pertain to matters of salvation, citizenship in the Kingdom of God, fruit of character, gifts for ministry, power for witness, joys unspeakable, purpose immovable, and so forth. How often do we give thanks for these?

God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Jesus Christ. Do we pause to consider this great store of riches that is to be known in Him, enjoyed in Him, and applied by Him in our lives? Paul is about to summarize a catalog of spiritual blessings, and he is obviously convinced that these are the greatest blessings we could ever know. They come with Jesus—knowing Him, trusting in Him, looking to Him, walking with Him, serving and bearing witness to Him.

The spiritual blessings which are the blessings most to be desired must be received in heavenly places, by Christ Jesus. The only way into that vault is through increasing desire, earnest prayer, waiting on the Lord, meditating on His grace, and receiving with thanksgiving everything He bestows upon us for serving Him.

Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
“Bless the LORD, O my soul; and
all that is within me, bless His holy Name!
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and
forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The LORD executes righteousness and justice
for all who are oppressed.
He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the children of Israel.
The LORD is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
He will not always strive with us, 
nor will He keep His anger forever.
He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
nor punished us according to our iniquities.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
As a father pities his children,
so the LORD pities those who fear Him.
For He knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust…
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting
on those who fear Him, and
His righteousness to children’s children,
to such as keep His covenant, and
to those who remember His commandments 
to do them” (Ps. 103.1-14, 17, 18).

“For God so loved the world that He gave
His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him
should not perish but
have everlasting life” (Jn. 3.16).]

Who could ask for anything more?

Reflection
1. What are “spiritual blessings”? How would you explain this idea to a new believer?

2. What does Paul mean by saying these blessings are “in heavenly places”?

3. And these blessings are “in Christ.” What does this mean for your daily life?

Spiritual and heavenly blessings are the best blessings; with which we cannot be miserable, and without which we cannot but be so. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Ephesians 1.3-8

Pray Psalm 95.3-11.
Praise God for His patience with us, for the gift of salvation, for the rest we have in Jesus, and for the grace and help you will need this day.

Sing Psalm 95.3-11.
(Tidings: O Zion, Hast, Thy Mission High Fulfilling)
Great are You, LORD, a King above all nations.
All of earth’s depths lie hidden in Your hand.
Yours are the mountains, Yours the sea, You made it;
You by Your hands created the dry land.
Refrain v. 6
Come let us worship, kneel to our LORD;
worship our Maker: Father, Holy Spirit, Word.

You are our God, we are Your sheep, Your people:
Speak, LORD, and we will hearken to Your Word.
Let not our hearts grow hard through sin, and feeble,
as when our fathers sinned against You, LORD.
Refrain

Long years You loathed that wicked generation,
who in their hearts, rebelled against Your path.
Them You forsook, and kept from Your salvation;
them You subjected to Your fearsome wrath.
Refrain

T. M. and Susie Moore

If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).

Other columns of interest this week: Our ReVision series on “The Kingdom Economy” turns to consider the unique “currency” of the divine economy. In our Read Moore podcast this week, we begin a new series of readings from our book, Such a Great Salvation.  Our Crosfigell series on Brendan of Clonfert finds him heading back to Ireland, confused and disappointed—but faithful. Click hereto see all the other columns and writers available to you.

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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.