Counting My Blessings by Seph Schlueter: A 7-Day DevotionalSample

Day 1

I’ve heard it said that man’s first mistake wasn’t disobedience, it was forgetfulness.

Go back with me for a second.

The Garden. Adam and Eve, in perfect union with God. They had absolutely everything they needed. More importantly, they were created in God’s own image and likeness. They were like God.

But then some silly snake came in and tried talking them out of this unity. He told them that if they ate from the tree, they would be like God. The thing is, they already were like God. They lacked nothing and lived in perfect provision and harmony.

But, whether it was in that moment or in a multitude of moments leading to it, they forgot that. They forgot who God was; that He was good and kind and it was not in His nature to hold back from them. And they forgot who they were; created like God and fashioned and formed for perfect intimacy with Him.

As a result of this forgetfulness, they disobeyed. They severed connection with God. And we all know the rest of the story there.

It’s easy to look down on them for being so foolish. But we do the same thing day after day. If it hadn’t been them, it would be us.

We forget God’s goodness. We forget His nature. We forget how faithful He’s been, and the promises and provision He has for us. And, I would venture to say, that is the reason we fall into sin most of the time. Not because we want to. But because we forget.

So how do we not forget? Thanksgiving, that’s how. Thanksgiving is the best way to keep our minds from losing track of who God is and what He’s done.

King David knew this. In Psalm 103, He says “Bless the Lord my soul, and forget not His benefits”.

Forget not the things He has done. Forget not His goodness. Forget not how time after time He does amazing things.

And David doesn’t just leave it abstract and intangible. He then goes on and lists the things God has done. He counts his blessings to remind himself of who God is. Thanksgiving keeps us from forgetting. Give thanks.

ACTIVATION

Take time to read through Psalm 103:1-5. For this week, read it first thing when you wake up and last thing when you go to sleep. Remind yourself of all the amazing things God has done and will do. And, sometime today, write a list of your blessings. Take 5 minutes and just journal them all out. Let your heart be filled with gratitude and your mind remember who God is.