| Christian Life and Doctrine | November 1979 |
The Fount of Every Blessing
THE Bible presents the great Jehovah God as the Fountain of all blessings, both to angels and to men, the “Father of mercies,” from whom cometh down “every good gift and every perfect gift.” (II Cor. 1:3; James 1:17) We properly appreciate our Lord Jesus Christ as the honored channel through which the divine blessings come to us; but we must look to the Heavenly Father chiefly, as the apostle has directed, saying that all things are of the Father; all things are by the Son.—I Cor. 8:6
Similarly, God’s people may feel grateful to their fellows of the church, to friends, and to the world for blessings and privileges, honors and opportunities. But it should never be forgotten that God is the Fountain of blessings and that others communicate these blessings only through divine grace. We should feel an appreciation of the sunshine and the rain, of the flowers and the birds, remembering always the great Source. Out of full hearts God’s instructed people sing:
“Come, thou Fount of every blessing!
Tune my heart a song to raise;
Streams of favor, never ceasing,
Call for notes of heartfelt praise!”
But the word “song” is used in another sense in the Bible. The whole Gospel message is styled a song, because of its beautiful harmony, richness, sweetness, and cadence. Thus the sons of God are said now to “sing a new song,” which none others can learn. (Rev. 14:3) While they sing and make melody in their hearts to the Lord, these melodies permeate their lives and thus “show forth the praises of him who hath called [them] out of darkness into his marvelous light.”—I Pet. 2:9
Oh, that the life of every Christian might bear a harmonious symphony to all his companions! How much this would do toward banishing tears and sorrow, and shedding rays of light on the pathway of those who walk in the valley of the shadow of death! Great blessings go with such heart-singing Christians. Their presence, their influence, their tone of voice, all show forth the praises of the Fountain of blessing, directing the attention of the world to this great Fount.