2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;… What good can we do to God in blessing of Him? He is blessed, though we bless Him not. Our blessing of Him — I. IS REQUIRED AS A DUTY, to make us more capable of His graces (Matthew 13:12). To him that useth that he hath to the glory of God shall be given more. The stream gives nothing to the fountain; the beam nothing to the sun, for it issues from it. Our very blessing of God is a blessing of His. It is from His grace that we can praise His grace; and we run still into a new debt when we have hearts enlarged to bless Him. II. TO OTHERS IT IS GOOD, for they are stirred up by it. God's goodness and mercy is enlarged in regard of the manifestation of it to others. III. Yea, THUS GOOD COMES TO OUR SOULS. Besides the increase of grace, we shall find an increase of joy and comfort. 1. If we can work upon our hearts a disposition to see God's love, and to bless Him, we can never be uncomfortable, for then crosses are light. For, when we search for matter of praising God in any affliction, and when we see there is some mercy yet reserved that we are not consumed, God, when He hath thanks from us, gives us still more matter of thankfulness, and the more we thank Him the more we have matter of praise. And, that we may the better perform this holy duty, let us take notice of all God's blessings. Blessing of God springs immediately from an enlarged heart, but enlargement of heart is stirred up from apprehension. 2. Taking notice of them, let us forget not all His benefits (Psalm 103:2). Let us register them, keep diaries of His mercies. He renews His mercies every day, and we ought to renew our blessing of Him every day. We should labour to do here as we shall do when we are in heaven. (R. Sibbes, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; |
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