May 21

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. - 1 Peter 1:3.

THERE are two things which may be observed with regard to gratitude, and both of them are here exemplified. The one regards the regulation of it. Temporal blessings are never to be overlooked; but what are these when compared with “all Spiritual blessings,” which regard the soul and eternity? How many have said, “What a blessed rain this is!” who have never once in their lives said, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath begotten us again unto a lively hope.”

The other regards the importance of confidence in order to gratitude. The discovery of these blessings is a very pleasing thing, and it is well to know that they are attainable, and to rejoice even in hope of them; but it is the appropriation of these blessings which touches all the springs of holy passion and praise. It is this that animates the Apostle and his fellows in this passage-“who hath begotten us.” But how are we to “bless” the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ? How can we bless him? We never can bless him as he blesses us. When he blesses us he communicates something, and we receive something we had not before; but this will not apply to our blessing him: our goodness extendeth not to him. He is exalted above all blessing and praise. But gratitude really consists in the disposition to return a favour received.

Among men there may be more than an equivalent given for a favour received, but this can never be the case with regard to the Almighty; our obligations to him can never be discharged. The gratitude therefore must appear principally in feeling them, and, while we are unable to make adequate returns, in showing that we are willing to make suitable ones, such as are in our power. It will appear therefore in our thinking well of him, in our speaking well of his name, in recommending him to others, in endeavouring to please him, in praying that the words of our lips and the meditations of our hearts may be acceptable in his sight, according to the inquiry of David and the admonition of the Apostle, “What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits?” “I beseech you by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto the Lord, which is your reasonable service.”