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God’s Mercies and Blessings

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 19, 1907

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 84, No. 38.

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God’s Mercies and Blessings

By Mrs. H. E. Sawyer-Hopkins

MRS. H. E. SAWYER-HOPKINS
How merciful and long-suffering is our Heavenly Father! He is indeed, “the Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.” In Eph. 3:20 we read that he “is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.” David says, “For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him;” and again, “The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting.”
How good the Lord is! so plenteous in mercy! He daily crowneth us with blessings; and should we attempt to count them, our astonishment would be great; they are innumerable.
God bestowed a great blessing upon us in the gift of his dear Son, whom he sent into the world to redeem us from sin. We have, besides, the light of his precious truth to shine on our pathway; we have the companionship of holy angels to guard and protect us from evil and danger; we have life and health.
Space is not sufficient to enumerate all God’s bountiful gifts that are literally showered upon us. If any one thinks he has none, a little reflection will prove to the contrary. A continual brooding over what might be, affords no gain to one; it may rather result in a terrible loss. We may thereby grieve away the Spirit of God, and drive from us guardian angels. Evil angels will then come to help us fill up the cup of gloom and unhappiness. The result is, no one is benefited. We are hindered in perfecting Christian character; life is a burden, and we are miserable.
Instead of mourning because of blessings withheld, let us consider the many we have, and we shall enjoy life better, and the approving smile of our Heavenly Father may rest upon us.
My experience is that life is largely what we make it. We can be miserable, or we can be happy. To be happy we must look on the bright side, for it is the right side, and make the best of everything. If the day looks dark and cloudy, remember that the cloud above has a silver lining.
“Never look sad, for there’s nothing so bad As getting familiar with Sorrow; Treat him to-day in a cavalier way— He’ll seek other quarters to-morrow.”
These lines have been a great help to me, as years ago I was tempted to look on the dark side. Words fail to express my gratitude that God, through his love and mercy, enabled me to accept the principles of health, and thus rise above those feelings of despondency. The Lord is good and full of mercy. What shall we render to him for all his benefits? To merely say, “Yes, we are thankful for all the light,” is not sufficient; we must love and serve him with all our powers, regarding every principle of healthful living. The all-wise Father knew we needed instruction of this kind, else he would not have given it.
Pomona, Cal.