FOR ALL THE BLESSINGS OF THE YEAR

Dearly Beloved, FOR ALL THE BLESSINGS OF THE YEAR “Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name” (1 Chronicles 29:12-13 NIV). Little is known about the composer of the hymn “FOR ALL THE BLESSINGS OF THE YEAR,” Albert H. Hutchinson. An unverified online source states that he was born in 1880 and lived for sixty years. Hutchinson likely composed the hymn in 1909. Apart from this information about the year of the composition of the hymn, there is no other available information about the historical background to the hymn. The music (OLDBRIDGE) to the hymn is ascribed to Robert Newton Quaile, a son of a Methodist pastor who lived between 1867 and 1927. The lyrics of the hymn show that the author was full of gratitude for everything God had done for him throughout the year. The hymn possibly has inspiration from 1 Chronicles 29:12-13 as cited above. This three-stanza hymn is a hymn of thanksgiving. Numerous people have sung it to express their gratitude to God since the composition of the hymn. Every Christian, and indeed every human being, should always be grateful to God for everything God is doing to them. Everyone should heed the admonition of Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “…give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” We should “enter [God’s] gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name” (Psalm 100:4). In the first stanza of the hymn, the composer expressed his thanksgiving to the Lord for blessings that He, the Lord, has given throughout the year. These blessings include dear friends and the peace that these people are enjoying. This divine peace transcends human understanding (see John 14:27; Philippians 4:7). The composer continued in the second stanza to thank the Lord for what ordinarily could be regarded as “common things.” These things – life, health, home and the like – are not common or ordinary. They are by the power and grace of God (Zechariah 4:6; Ephesians 2:8). The composer concluded his thanksgiving by recognizing the divine love that never ceases. This great love is renewed every moment in the life of a child of God (see Lamentations 3:22-23). Instead of being consumed, the life of a child of God is being warmed by the everlasting love that the composer tagged “heavenly fires.” The Lord is gracious to His people. He is demonstrating this every day through what He is doing in their lives. His people should be grateful for all these blessings. As we move gradually to the end of another year, ponder the blessings of God you have enjoyed this year. These blessings are not by your power, knowledge or experience. They are by the grace of God. Do not be ungrateful. Express your heart of gratitude to the Lord for all the blessings you have received this year. Do not wait till the end of the year before doing so. FOR ALL THE BLESSINGS OF THE YEAR, I THANK YOU, O LORD! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: O Lord, do not let me be ungrateful for all Your blessings over my life.