Common mercies!

(Hannah More)  LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio

(You will find it helpful to listen to the audio above, as you read the text below.)

"God has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; He provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy." Acts 14:17

That sun which shines unremittingly every day, is a stupendous exertion of God's power—an astonishing exhibition of His omnipotence!

In adoring the providence of God, we are apt to be struck with what is new and out of the usual course, while we often overlook long, habitual, and uninterrupted mercies.

But common mercies, if less striking, are more valuable—because we always have them.

The ordinary blessings of life are overlooked for the very reason for which they ought to be most prized—because they are Divinely bestowed every moment.

Common mercies are most essential to our being. And when once they are withdrawn, we then find that they are alsomost essential to our comfort.

Nothing raises the price of a blessing like its removal, whereas it was its continuance which should have taught us its value.

Novelties usually awaken our gratitude, not considering that it is the duration of the common mercies which enhances their value.

We desire fresh excitements. We take for granted common mercies, as things to which we have a sort of presumptive claim; as if God had no right to withdraw what He has once bestowed, as if He were obliged to continue what He has once been pleased to confer.

"Praise the Lord, O my soul! With all that is within me, praise His holy name!  
 Praise the Lord, O my soul! May I never forget the good things He does for me!"
      Psalm 103:1-2

Charles Spurgeon: "Let us praise God for common mercies, for they prove to be uncommonly precious, when they are once taken away! The common joys of this life which God blesses us with, ought to make us increase in gratitude, and ought to be a sufficient motive for the very highest form of consecration!"

"What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits to me?" Psalm 116:12