A Devotional: Psalm 103:2

Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Psalm 103:2

The psalmist found another occasion for worship: the benefits that God has provided. Reflection on the benefits of serving God is a cause for expressing, “Bless the Lord, O my soul!”

It is easy to grumble and complain about what we don’t have. As residents of the wealthiest country in the world we are surrounded by material offerings. Store shelves are loaded with new things to try and more things to buy every time you enter. You can never keep up with the latest fads, technological toys, or decorator ideas. When you see others that have more, it is easy to fall into the trap of self-pity, wanting more things and enjoying less the things we already possess.

David gave us this gentle reminder in the psalm of praise, “Forget not all His benefits!” Remembering our blessings should not be relegated to one day a year, Thanksgiving! Counting your blessings can be a daily exercise. It doesn’t take too many recounts to add up to a whole lot for which to be thankful. In another Psalm, David emphasized the daily provision of blessings we receive from the Lord, “Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits” (68:19). We are loaded with His blessings!

It seems that when we begin focusing on what we have, rather than what we don’t have, we tend to notice others who have less. When we are aware of our blessings it is easier to respond to the needs of others, and give to others with a grateful heart.

Let us not forget our benefits, the blessings the Lord provides for us day by day, and add to our worship, “Bless the Lord, O my soul!”

Psalm 103:3

“Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases” -Psalm 103:3

As we begin to worship our great God, the wonderful attributes of His character come to mind and enter our praise. After David spoke of the load of benefits that we receive from the Lord daily, he began to itemize the blessings of the Lord. He was reminded of forgiveness and healing.

The Lord is the one “who forgives all your iniquities.” We are sinful men and women in the sight of God. Our sins and iniquities have separated us from God (Isaiah 59:2). However, it is not God’s desire for us to remain separated from Him. His atonement at Calvary provides the way of salvation. By faith in Christ we can receive forgiveness and remission of sins. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). When we are baptized in Jesus’ name, our sins are forever remitted (Acts 2:38). There is no sin he cannot forgive. If you repent and believe Him at His word, you will be forgiven. Later in Psalm 103, David said that the Lord has removed our sin from us, as far as the east is from the west (vs.12).

The Lord also is the one “who heals all your diseases.” He not only has the diagnosis, he also has the prescription! There is no sickness for which he does not have the cure, no illness that he does not have the remedy. That does not mean we are exempt from the effects of sickness and we may yet die of some disease, but it will not be because our God is unable to heal. When we commit our lives and our ways to God, nothing will happen to us but what he allows. If we live, or die, it is for the glory of God. If he heals or if we suffer, let it be for the glory of the Lord! This much we know, He said, “I am the Lord who heals you!” (Exodus 15:26).

Whatever your need is, look to the Lord, bless his name, and believe that he will provide all that you need according to his riches in glory! (Phil. 4:19

Daily Prayer O God, help me not to miss the highest because of my spiritual unpreparedness. Help me to be ready for all that You have for me - even before I see it. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Daily Prayer Lord Jesus, You who are Master of life and death, I am so grateful that in You I see the death of death and the defeat of defeat. In You everything is alive - alive with meaning, destiny, goal - alive forevermore. Hallelujah!

Daily Prayer Father, I am encouraged as I think that today, millions of Christians around the world will be praying for me. Help me never to fail in my responsibility to pray for them. In Christ's peerless and precious name. Amen

A Devotional:

Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Psalm 103:1

The soul of man finds release in worship. That is the feeling I get from David’s cry in the Psalm, “Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!” The emotion of the heart is set free in worship and God is magnified in our praise. This is true worship. It is heart-felt and an expression from the depths of the soul.

Jesus spoke of true worship to the woman at the Samaritan well in John chapter 4. He explained that true worship is not identified with the locality of the ritual, but the genuineness of our expression. It is not the particular mountain, or temple, or sacred setting but rather the understanding and passion that goes into worship. It is not the position of the body but rather the condition of the heart.

When we approach God with an understanding of who He is, and express the feeling of our heart toward him, we will connect with the heart of God, “The Father is seeking such to worship Him” (Jn. 4:23). God responds to our worship. When we approach God “in truth” we worship with an understanding of revelation, Jesus is God. When we worship “in spirit” it is from our own volition, our passion, our being that we voluntarily exalt Him.

Only mankind can fulfill the longing of God for worship, and only God can fulfill the longing of mankind for an object of worship. Other idols disappoint, other deities fail our faith, but the one and only Lord of Glory receives our worship and rewards our adoration with fulfillment. Paul stated, “In Him [Jesus Christ] dwells all the fullness of the godhead bodily and you are complete in him, who is the head of all principality and power” (Col. 2:9-10).

All true worship must ultimately come to Christ as the image of the invisible God. Worship that sets itself on any other god is not worship at all but empty ritual. Worship that claims to be directed to God but rejects the deity of Christ is misdirected ritual. Jesus’ own exclusive statement declares, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (Jn. 14:6). There is no other Way! There is no other Truth! And there is no other Life! All true worship begins and ends in Jesus Christ!

Knowing the LORD and the identity of His name truly enables you to say, “Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!”

A Reflection on Psalm 103: 6

“The LORD executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.” -Psalm 103:6

Has life ever been unfair? It does not take much reflection to be aware of inequities in the events of life. Some seem to enjoy the Midas touch; everything they do turns to success. There are others who seem to suffer setbacks over and over again. In spite of all their good efforts they seem to have the black cloud of misfortune hovering over their heads. Maybe you have said, “It just isn’t fair!”

The Psalmist had a perspective that will help us to keep an attitude of worship even when we are witnesses of injustice and inequity. It is the Lord that does right and it is the Lord that will deliver those who are exploited.

In the character of God there is righteousness; he does things right!

Even when you feel that unrighteousness prevails and that God has allowed evil to overcome good, remember that God is sovereign and righteous.

In due time he will effect righteousness against every evil action.

According to the book of Revelation, when Jesus comes to bring justice on a world that has rejected His love it is stated that “true and righteous are His judgments” (19:2).

John said, “I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war” (Rev. 19:11).

There will come a day when all injustice will be laid to rest and those who were bruised with oppression will be delivered.

In part, this was fulfilled in the ministry of Jesus. Jesus declared that he came to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah,

“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor;

He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind,

To set at liberty those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18).

Through the gift of the Holy Spirit you may enjoy the sweet release from the bondage of oppression. This is a freedom that is greater than any that government can grant or any liberator can win. It is the “glorious liberty of the children of God” (Romans 8:21) and it was freely provided by the victory of Calvary .

“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).

Rejoice in the freedom of the Spirit and rest confident that righteousness will prevail and every oppressed one will find justice at last.