Great and Marvelous

They sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations!”—Revelation 15:3 NASB

John Quincy Adams described his mother, Abigail, in a letter to his father, John, the day after she died as a “minister of blessing.” Affectionately, he remembered her firm mind, gentle temper, and kindness.

Both John and John Quincy had remarkable careers. Both served as a president of the United States. Both openly acknowledged the debt they owed to Abigail. She influenced many other lives as well.

Throughout her life, she provided perpetual reminders about priorities. She knew that the world urgently needed people of principle.

She urged her husband to get involved in politics even though this meant personal sacrifice for her. She reminded him that he could not be “an inactive spectator.” But she recognized the sinful condition of the human heart, warning her husband that “man is a dangerous creature.”

An avid reader, she frequently quoted the Bible, particularly Proverbs. Her lifelong creed was “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine” (Proverbs 17:22 KJV).

When John and Abigail sailed to England in 1784, Abigail spent many hours watching the sea, often alone, awed by the beauty of God’s creation. One day her thoughts turned to the Bible, and she wrote, “Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty.” She placed her trust firmly in Him!

Ask God to help you be a minister of blessing. Fill your life with His Word, and seek to live so you can bless many others.

Reflection Question: How can you be a minister of blessing to others today?