The Lord Hath Blessed Me Hitherto

May 13

The Lord hath blessed me hitherto.

Joshua 17:14 And the children of Joseph spake

 unto Joshua, saying, Why hast thou given me 

but one lot and one portion to inherit, 

seeing I am a great people, forasmuch 

as the LORD hath blessed me hitherto?

Believer, cannot you join with the children of Joseph this morning, and bear a similar testimony?

Thy God hath blessed thee in Jesus, and through Jesus; 
look back to the rock whence you were hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence you were digged;

call to mind the time and place, when and where thy God first led thee to cry for mercy, and seek for salvation; 
remember the distress and bondage felt before mercy was manifested; 
and then remember how your soul was delivered, and the comforts of the Holy Ghost imparted.

Think of thy difficulties and dangers, the trials and fears, the deliverances the Lord has wrought, the favour He hath shown, and the comforts He has imparted; and surely you will be gratefully acknowledge, "He hath blessed me hitherto.“

He promised to bless, and you have found Him faithful.

He has manifested a Father‘s love, and a Mother’s tenderness in dealing with you.

But what have been your returns?

Oh, be humbled, for you have been ungrateful!

But cleave to Jesus, for God gives no blessings but by and through Him.

Jesus found me vile and guilty,

I had broken all His laws;

When He look’d He saw me filthy;

All corrupt my nature was;

Man appear’d a hopeless case—

Such it had been but for grace.

James Smith