Don't Forget

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.

Psalm 103:1-2

There are many benefits to having God as my God, to knowing Jesus Christ as my personal savior and closest friend, and to being full of His precious Holy Spirit. But since we are human, we often focus (mostly to our detriment) on what we don't have and think we want or need, rather than what we already have. But the Psalmist was good at redirecting those desires, when he commanded his own inner man to "Bless the Lord!"

What has God done for us?

He forgives ALL sin! There is no sin (well, save one--but David apparently wasn't aware of that sin) which God cannot and will not forgive. I look at my own life and marvel at all the things for which I have been forgiven. That mercy and grace, that precious forgiveness is available for all my idolatries and blasphemies and dishonorable activities, for my lying, stealing, killing, adulterating, and covetous ways--if I ever fall into all or even one of those sins. When I confess my sins, I rejoice that God forgives my sins and cleanses me from all unrighteousness. And then He forgets; I wish that He would make me to forget as well.

He heals ALL sickness and disease! The healing power of God has been manifested toward His creation through Jesus Christ, who was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, punished for our peace, and "BY HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED!" A very good friend of mine pointed out one time that this not only means physical healing of the body, but also inner healing of the soul. Thank God that He is more than able to take care of my healing from the inside out, from the outside in, and everywhere in between, because He is a healing God; and even when He doesn't immediately take away my pain or my illness, His grace is sufficient to see me through it!

He redeems my life from ALL destruction! The devil is a liar and a thief who comes to steal, kill and destroy. And where people are willing to be used by him, destruction lies in their wake. Situations and circumstances far beyond my control try to lay waste and wreak havoc. The storms of life can sometimes be devastating. But God is a redeemer, giving back what was stolen, building up what was broken down, mending what was ripped and torn, healing what was hurt! He restores, and refreshes, and renews!

He crowns me with loving kindness and tender mercy! Thank the Lord for His love and mercy, for without those two things how lost I would be. But God loves the unloving, the unlovely, and the unlovable. Though He is a just God who hates sin, He is also merciful and compassionate, not dealing to me what I deserve, but rather through great love ministering to me what I need. He lifts me up out of weakness into His strength; He is my glory and the lifter of my head; He is my righteousness! He knows my need, and He is able to supply it. He knows my request, and He is able to answer it. He knows my tears, and He dries every one. He hears my cry, my prayer, my call...and He speaks in response.

He satisfies my mouth with good things! We forget sometimes that every good and perfect gift comes from the Lord, and He doesn't do bad things to His people. Oh, I know that from my human perspective sometimes it doesn't seem so good, but the Lord truly knows what is best, and I have learned--indeed, I am still learning--to trust Him in everything He does, because He does all things well and none of His purposes are withheld from Him. But I also recognize in this verse that the satisfaction He gives is not only what I take in, but also what I give out. "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart bless Your Name!!!"

And through ALL the blessings of God, He renews my youth. Sin and sickness, destruction, disappointment and pain sometimes heap the weight of years upon us, but as we seek the Lord, as we serve the Lord, as we satisfy ourselves with the Lord, we become young again, as when the world was new!

And we bless the Lord.