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Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has many, not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some. Charles Dickens, this is the Bright Forever. Hello and welcome to the Bright Forever, where each week, we rediscover the power and richness found in some of the greatest hymns of the faith. My name is Andy Peevee House and I am your host and guide on this our journey through hymnity. It is so good to be back with you again this week. I am grateful for every week I get to do this. And, speaking of being grateful, this is a week where gratitude and thankfulness get to shine, very thanksgiving everyone. Technically, our gratitude and thankfulness should shine every day of the year, but there's something about the holiday season that seems to bring out our gratitude and thankfulness more than any other time during the year. This week, as we reflect on thankfulness, gratitude and the joy of what God has done in our lives, a plethora of hymns come to mind, but one that I vividly remember as a kid is our hymn for this week Count your Blessings. With the many hymns that have been passed down through church tradition, few songs shine as brightly as Count your Blessings. Pinned by Johnson Oatman Jr, this hymn has become a timeless anthem of thanksgiving and a source of comfort during the storms of life. As we explore the origins of this beloved hymn, we will discover the life of its author and the impact this simple yet powerful melody has had on countless hearts. Let's another one of those upbeat, lift-your-spirit type of songs, all the while dealing with the heaviness of a life burdened by cares and concerns of this world, by doubt, even envy and jealousy and conflict, continually reminding us to look to the blessings we have been given by God through His Son, jesus Christ. And as we account for those blessings, we may be surprised to see God always at work in our lives, blessing us and providing for us day by day. So let's dive in and discover what God has in store for us in this timeless hymn of thanksgiving.

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Born April 21, 1856, near Medford, New Jersey, johnson Oatman Jr was immersed in the world of hymns From an early age. As the son of Johnson Sr and Rachel Ann Klein Oatman, his father, a local merchant nearby Lumberton, had a rich, powerful singing voice, and his son loved to hear his father sing and longed to become a singer just like his dad. After an education that included Herbert's Academy and the New Jersey Collegiate Institute, oatman entered the Methodist Episcopal Church at 19, later becoming a preacher and an influential figure in the mercantile and insurance realms. His love for church music was ignited by his father's voice and love for music. However, as time passed, he realized he lacked his father's singing prowess. Oatman's path to hymn writing began around 1892. It is estimated that Oatman wrote about 200 hymns a year throughout his ministry.

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Driven partially by his inability to sing like his dad, oatman collaborated with renowned gospel composers, leaving an indelible mark on Christian music. Composing over 5,000 hymns in all, he collaborated with hymn writers and composers like John R Sweeney, william J Kirkpatrick and Charles H Gabriel, including texts for higher ground. No, not one hand in hand with Jesus, sweeter than all. The last mile of the way, what shall it profit? I'll be a friend to Jesus and lift him up Him. Historian J M Hall felt that no hymnal was complete without an Oatman hymn. Hall stated he daily preaches to a larger congregation than the pastor of any church in the land. Through his hymns he was able to preach the gospel to all the world and to every creature.

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One of his most well-known and influential hymns, count your Blessings, was born in 1896 or 1897. There's some debate among scholars as to the exact year. The melody, however, was crafted by another hymn writer and well-known editor of numerous hymnals and church music resources, eo Excel. Count your Blessings found its way into hymnals across denominations, cementing its place in Christian worship. Oatman's prolific hymn writing testifies to his dedication to spreading the gospel through music. Despite not achieving the fame as a preacher or as a singer, oatman's hymns continue to inspire millions. As one writer said about Count your Blessings, it is like a beam of sunlight that has brightened up the dark places of the earth.

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Early in its publishing, it became one of the most well-known and beloved hymns in Great Britain, where it was said that men sing it, the boys whistle it and the women rock their babies to sleep to this hymn. During the Welsh revival of 1904 to 1905, it was one of the hymns sung at almost every service. We hear a lot about English hymns and English hymn writers that became really popular in the US. This was one of the first American hymn writers and American hymns to go the opposite way and become hugely popular in Great Britain. And it's all because of the heart of Johnson Oatman Jr. Near the end of his life he moved to Oklahoma where in 1922 he passed away. Yet hymn writing continues to thrive in the Oatman family. His daughter, miriam, wrote many hymns and she composed a lot of her father's music, and today he has a great grandson who is also a writer. His hymns live on even today as his words continue reaching lost souls for the Lord.

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The hymns' verses offer an enduring wisdom, urging believers, believe it or not, to count their blessings, especially during life's storms. The lyrics remind us that, amid trials and discouragement, reflecting on God's works can bring unexpected joy. Each stanza emphasizes the transformative power of gratitude and the connection between acknowledging blessings and dispelling doubts. Let's look a little closer. In verse 1, when, upon life's billows your tempest tossed, when you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, count your many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done. The imagery of being tempest tossed on life's billows reflects the trials and tribulations that we face. James 1, verses 2 and 3, tell us to count it all. Joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know, the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. I also like the translation that says that by testing your faith, it develops perseverance. You learn how to persevere in life through the trials, and you learn to lean on God and not your own understanding or your own abilities.

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Paul speaks to this in 2 Corinthians 1, verses 8-10. He says for we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia, for we were so utterly burdened, beyond our strength, that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death, but that was to make us rely not on ourselves, but on God, who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril and he will deliver us. In Him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.

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The encouragement of this Scripture and the first verse is to combat discouragement by actively remembering what God has done. Tally up the things that he has done in the past and remember that if he could do all that he has done, he can still do it again. He is unchanging, he still moves and is still working all things for our good and His glory. Paul said we don't rely on ourselves, but on God who raises the dead. I love the fact that he says we were so utterly burdened, beyond our strength, that we despaired of life itself. The song when you are discouraged, thinking all is lost. But see, then Paul says we don't rely on ourselves, but on God who raises the dead. If our God can do that, then he can surely deliver us from whatever we are facing. He has done it before and he can do it again. I love how the song says it will surprise you when the Lord has done.

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I think we get so inside our heads or enveloped in our own issues that when we truly stop and look back on where God has taken us, it surprises us. It's like we've forgotten, from circumstance to circumstance, that God is still who he has always been, and we need the reminder daily. Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings. Every doubt will fly and you will be singing as the days go by. Here, oatman addresses the burdens and cares that we often bear in life. He uses the metaphor of the cross from Matthew 16-24, if anyone come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. The cross being heavy emphasizes the weighty responsibilities and challenges we face as we live out our faith.

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The key message from Oatman is that actively counting blessings becomes a transformative practice and as we put it into practice, the previous verse is truth that God has worked and is still working and will continue to work. When we put it into practice, we dispel doubt by remembering what he has done for us and leading us to joy. This idea is echoed by Paul again, but this time to the Philippians. In chapter 4, he tells us to rejoice always, and in verse 6, he says Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. And a little later in the chapter, he tells us how he's come to this understanding. I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. I know how to be brought low and I know how to abound In any and every circumstance. I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.

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Oatman reiterates that counting blessings is not just the remedy for the heaviness of the cross that we bear, but it fosters contentment and rejoicing as we navigate life's challenges. Verse 3 says when you look at others with their lands in gold, think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold, not your many blessings. Money cannot buy your reward in heaven, nor your home on high. In verse 3, oatman encourages us to shift our perspective when we look at others' wealth and possessions. Instead of coveting earthly riches, we should focus on the promised wealth from Christ that goes far beyond material possessions.

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In 1 Timothy, 6, 9 and 10, paul warns Timothy that those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction, for the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. The writer of Hebrews, in chapter 13, verse 5, reminds us to keep your life free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for he has said I will never leave you, nor forsake you and the best of all. In Matthew's Gospel, jesus tells us in chapter 6, do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourself treasures in heaven. We hear these scriptures echoed by Oatman, as this verse emphasizes the fleeting nature of earthly wealth and the enduring value we find in heavenly treasures. Verse three continues to encourage us to practice contentment While also viewing life from a spiritual lens and a spiritual perspective.

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Oatman reminds us to recognize the true value of heavenly blessings that money cannot buy, and the eternal rewards promised by God, the Father, through Christ. So, amid the conflict, whether great or small, do not be discouraged. God is over all. Count your many blessings. Angels will attend, help and comfort, give you to your journey's end.

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This final verse acknowledges that, despite the challenges and conflicts we face, both large and small, we do not need to succumb to discouragement and why God is sovereign.

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He reigns over all situations, circumstances, problems, issues and over the ultimate outcome. Paul reminds us of who and what we fight against, telling us that, for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all to stand firm. Oatman encourages us to face these struggles with assurance that God is over all things and, from verse to verse to verse to verse, god is unchanging. James tells us that every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. God is constantly, consistently, unchangingly good, and this goodness is what we are reminded of again and again and again throughout this hymn. The message that we hear throughout is that help, comfort, strength.

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Every good and perfect gift comes from God and he remains unchanged even in the midst of our circumstances. Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your blessings, see what God has done. Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done. This chorus is the call to action, over and over again bringing us back to the theme that counting our blessings continually acknowledges the surprises of God's grace and provision in every step of life. It repeatedly resonates with what we see in Psalm 103, verses one and two.

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Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me. Bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not all his benefits. We can't forget it. We've gotta remind ourselves, we've gotta count our blessings over and over, reminding ourselves that God is not just good now. He has always been good and he always will be. As we've seen, this hymn's connection with Thanksgiving fits. I mean, it's all about remembering to be thankful and grateful for what you have. So as a Thanksgiving hymn it just fits perfectly. It encapsulates the spirit of gratitude. As we join the chorus of many believers singing and count your blessings, let us remember the power of gratitude and thankfulness.

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May Oatman's words live on as they touch our hearts and encourage us to count our blessings and find joy in God's unchanging faithfulness. This Thanksgiving, let this melody resonate in your hearts as you reflect on God's abundant blessings in your life.

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Count your blessings, name them on my word and it will surprise you what the Lord has done. Count your blessings, name them on my word. Count your blessings, see what God has done. Count your blessings, name them on my word and it will surprise you what the Lord has done. Are you ever burdened with the Lord of death as we cross in heaven? Do you want more to learn? Count your many blessings and bring joy to our hearts, and it will be singing as the days go by. Count your blessings, name them on my word. Count your blessings, see what God has done. Count your blessings, name them on my word and it will surprise you what the Lord has done. So may God come with wealth, grace or small. Do not be disheartened. God is more than poor. Count your many blessings. Angels will attend. God has come to give you to your journeys. Count your blessings, name them on my word. Count your blessings, see what God has done. Count your blessings, name them on my word and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

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What the Lord has done. That was the Clemsford Citadel's Salvation Army Songsters performing Count your Blessings. This recording is used by permission, without copyright, according to their YouTube channel, and is taken from their album Amazing Grace and other favorite hymns. I wanted to use this particular recording because I just there's something about this song being sung by a group of people, by a congregation, by a large number of people. Just a solo, it's great. But hearing a church, hearing a group of people together singing Count your Blessings name them on my word, I don't know I think it just reminds me of growing up as a kid and hearing the congregation sing this song with just this fervor and this excitement of reminding ourselves to remember everything God has blessed us with. So thank you very much to the Clemsford Citadel Salvation Army Songstress for posting this and for allowing people to use it. Thank you for joining us this week on the Bright Forever. Remember to follow us, review us and, of course, subscribe. You can do so on our website or you can go to any of the podcasting platforms that we are on Apple, Google, Spotify, Amazon we're all over the place and also check out all the new features on our website at wwwthebrightforevercom.

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Finally, your financial support means the world to us. If you would like to help us reach a greater audience with these hymns, take a moment and go to wwwthebrightforevercom and click on the Support the Podcast tab in the menu. You can subscribe by giving $3, $5, $8, or $10 per month to help support what we're doing here at the Bright Forever. And if you are not able or you're not ready to commit to every single month, you can always click the yellow coffee icon at the bottom left of our page and give a $5 or greater one-time gift through our BuyMeACoffeecom supporters account. Thank you again for listening. I hope you all have a great week. I hope you all have a happy Thanksgiving on Thursday. Before we go, let me close this in prayer Lord, I thank you so much for who you are. God, I thank you for your provision. I thank you for every moment of every day, as you watch over us, as you speak over us, as you sing over us, god, as you continue to work everything for our good and for your glory.

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Yeah, we thank you. Continue to move in us, continue to remind us of every single blessing that we can. At times when things seem hardest, we can look back and remember every step of the way where you've blessed us, you've picked us up, you've kept us going, and God help that to spur us on to be more and more like you, chipping away at the things that keep us from you, and God giving us not just purpose but a calling to go out and to reach a lost and dying world with the power of the unchained, with the power of the unchanging good news of the gospel.

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God, we love you, we praise you. It's in your son's name we pray. Jesus, our savior, Amen. God bless you all Again. Have a great week and a happy Thanksgiving, and we'll see you back here next week. We're out.