There’s an old hymn that tells us to “Count your blessings . . . name them one by one.” So, what if I were to really do that? Make a list of the blessings I am a recipient of? Where would I start? What would get listed first? Material blessings? Blessings of well-being? My family? I was grabbed this morning by a couple of verses in Psalm 89 . . . a short list of blessings . . . a mini-reminder of the privileges associated with being a child of God.

Blessed are the people who know the festal shout,
   who walk, O LORD, in the light of Your face,
 who exult in Your name all the day
   and in Your righteousness are exalted.    (Psalm 89:15-16 ESV)

Four items to add to the “count your blessings” list for those redeemed by the blood of Christ . . . for those whose sins are forgiven because of the sacrifice of the precious, spotless Lamb of God . . . for those brought out of darkness into marvelous light . . . for those who have been brought into relationship with the living God of eternity. Add these to your blessings list . . .

First, that you know worship. Not just know about worship . . . but know worship by experience. That we have been given a new song to sing, is a blessing . . . that hearts that were once dead to things of heaven are now ignited, on a regular basis, to look up and declare the glory of God, is a gift worthy of thanking God for. How often do I think about worship as a privilege and blessing? Not worship as in going through the motions of the “festal shout” . . . but in actually shouting . . . in actually offering the sacrifice of praise, the fruit of our lips . . . in actually entering into the joy of lifting up the name of the One who has lifted us up. Blessed are the people who know the festal shout.

Next, what about walking in His presence? To wake up in the morning, regardless of what yesterday was like or what today holds, having the assurance that today’s journey will be done in the light of the face of God. The barrier of sin has been removed . . . the curtain has been torn from top to bottom . . . and I have been invited into the holy of holies . . . into the place where the glory of God dwells. What’s more, I have been infused with the Spirit of God . . . the light of His face having become resident within the depths of my soul. No need to hide . . . no desire to hide . . . but to know and to be fully known. That’s a blessing . . . O’ that I might be more aware of walking in the light of His face.

Third, I have the privilege, the all day long privilege, of rejoicing in the unveiled glory of God. Moses said, “Show me Your glory” . . . God replied, “I will proclaim before you My name” (Ex. 33:18-19). Like Moses, I have been placed in the cleft of the Rock, and God graciously reveals His name . . . ““The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin . . . ” (Ex. 34:6-7). The blessing is mine, that, in some measure, I get who God is . . . and that, in getting it, rather than flee from it, I rejoice in it . . . I am glad in it . . . I delight it in. Blessing number three . . . the ability to delight in the glory of God.

Lastly, the psalmist reminds me, that when building my list, not to take for granted that I am exalted in His righteousness. Seated in the heavenlies . . . joint heir with Christ . . . I have been lifted up. Lifted up by the God I worship . . . to walk in His presence . . . to rejoice in His glory . . . on the basis of His righteousness alone. God, in His abounding love and infinite grace, made His Son ” to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2Cor. 5:21). Not of my own righteousness . . . but clothed in the righteousness of Jesus, I am set on high. That, my friends, needs to be at the top of the blessing list.

Greatly blessed . . . highly favored. Can’t help but singing . . . you too?    Click here if you’ve got a couple more minutes.