The Italian Memorandum

banal – commonplace; trivial; trite; hackneyed.

(Webster’s New Universal Dictionary, Unabridged, p. 145)

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High / Possessor of heaven and earth; and bless God Most High…”

(Genesis 14:19,20)

On the subject of blessings, David wrote: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, Bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits…Bless the Lord, all his work, in all places of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul!” (Psalm 103:1,2,22). Blessings are meant to be acknowledged:

1. Theologically – “Bless the LORD” (Ps. 103:1)

2. Personally – “my soul” (Ps. 103:1,2)

3. Emotionally – “O my soul” (Ps. 103:1,2,22)

4. Completely – “and all that is within me” (Ps. 103:1)

5. Invitational – “in all places of his dominion” (Ps. 103:22)

In Genesis 12:1-3, we find The Seven Blessings of Abram. Notice the phrase: “I will…” throughout this passage. This is the God of Abram; and these “I will” statements are the avowed course of action of this God. And, the greatest of these is the gospel interjection: “In you shall all the nations be blessed” So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith” (Galatians 3:8,9,26).

There is no banality in the gospel. Dismiss your slang blahs today!

-Robert M. Housby