“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: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Psalm 103:1-5 (KJV)
“Praise the LORD, I tell myself; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, I tell myself, and never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He ransoms me from death and surrounds me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!” Psalm 103:1-5 (NLT)
Imagine God standing in the center of the universe. Surveying all of his new creation . . .
the heavens, earth, night, day, birds, sea creatures, animals, trees, and plant life. He decides that all of it is good, but it needs something more. His creation needs a caretaker. In his infinite wisdom, he determines to create one. So, he bends down and scoops up a handful of newly created soil . . . dirt, . . . earth. Then, with his own hands, he forms the dirt into a human. Next, with his own breath, he breathes life into the lifeless dirt-form and it becomes a living being.
Soon after that the story went sour. Adam’s disobedience (i.e. fall from grace) clearly shows that he was, and we are, weak dust particles who need the grace of God to survive.
In the Scripture above, note that David clearly understood the human need and focused his praise on the supplier and the benefits supplied. With David, lets us not forget the benefits of grace: Entire forgiveness, Complete health, Total redemption, Entire mercy and compassion, Complete satisfaction, and Total renewal.
There is nothing else to say except, Let me praise the Lord! Let all that I am bless His holy name! O, soul, praise God and do not forget the benefits of His grace!
Dear Father of heaven, I glorify you for all your benefits to me. Thank you for your grace and mercy. Enable me to remember them daily and always. Give me the strength to praise you before others that they may also give you praise and glory. I pray in Jesus’ name. AMEN
Let us praise God for His benefits and live for His glory,
Pastor Smith