Psalm 103
v 1-2 Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
This Psalm is about the relationship between God
and His people. It`s a call to know God which
results in true worship. Remembering who
He is and what He has done, draws us to
respond in praise.
Review some of the things that you give thanks for in your own life.
Even if there are troubles too, think on the positive first.
I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.
Psalm 145:1
We are called to express our Praise to God for all He has done, and Psalm 103 reminds us of what that is.
Who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle
So what are the benefits of being in God`s family?
He forgives, heals, redeems, crowns, and satisfies.
​
Starting with FORGIVENESS, King David expresses in Psalm 32:1-2 :
​
1 Blessed is the one
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
2 Blessed is the one
whose sin the Lord does not count against them
and in whose spirit is no deceit.
​
Whatever has transpired in our life, in Christ who took the punishment, we can know peace.
HEALING - Good health is a blessing from God and should not be taken for granted. God does not guarantee healing every time we get sick; but when we do get sick and recover, it is because God has healed us. Sometimes God lets us get sick for God can even use sickness for our good. God works through medicine and doctors to heal us as well as supernaturally.
" O Lord my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me" Psalm 30:2
Do you get stuck on the fact that you have not seen or experienced miraculous healing so have a hard time believing that God is good?
As believers in Jesus we take a broader view of things than just our own experience. We are still at war with the kingdom of darkness. Yes, we know that Satan is defeated however that defeat ultimately comes in the future. In the present, we are still battling his dominion - but expect the unexpected as well as future hope.
REDEEMED - We are to be thankful for God redeeming our life from destruction.
Often we stray like lost sheep or the prodigal son. But Christ is the Good Shepherd of the sheep (John 10:11_ and cares for each of His sheep seeking them till He finds them. Each is precious in His sight.
"Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses" Psalm 107:13
LOVE & MERCY - God does not give us what we deserve. His grace is unmerited and undeserved.
The Psalm continues in v.8-14
"The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, so the LORD pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust"
GOD`s PROVISION
As creator of the world, God provides for all we need.
" The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want" Psalm 23:1
God is faithful. Even if we are faithless, He remains faithful. He cannot deny His character (2 Timothy 2:13)
His mercy is `new every morning` )Lamentations 3:22-23
​
GOD RENEWS US
God restores us to what He initially created us to be.
An eagle, or any caged bird is prevented from it`s full potential. A free eagle will soar on the thermals with little effort, and that is a good picture of how God wants our lives to be.
God gives all His benefits (v2) that those who are oppressed or mistreated (v6) will have His life.
​