TODAY'S DEVOTIONAL
A WHOLEHEARTED THANKSGIVING!
Sunday, 30 December 2018
Psalms 103
“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
Its an overflow of the heart in praise to the Almighty GOD, that is expressed in Psalm 103 by the Psalmist. He lists out all the goodness of God that he and the people of God had enjoyed in their lifetime. Over and over, David speaks of God’s great mercy he had received- “abounding”, so great as “high as the heavens are above the earth”, “everlasting”- great occasions to praise God!
Let us see some of the BENEFITS the Lord bestows on us that lift His praise:
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God’s Redemption (vs.3,10,12)- God’s redemption involves forgiveness of our sins and redeeming our lives from eternal destruction. We have redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ: “And have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation…” (Rev.5:9). Remember the day you got saved? Are you grateful that He chose you out of the billions of this world that you would know Him in a personal way? Give thanks, my brother/sister for the gift of salvation!
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God’s Provision (vs.5)- We are to be thankful for every good thing we receive from God: “You open Your hand, they are filled with good.” (Ps.104:28); He gives food to every living thing (Ps.136:25). The air that you breathe, the sunshine that warms your body and heart, the eyes to see the beauty of His creation, the ears to listen to the Music of the Maker such as the singing of the birds, the lull of the sea waves….. do you say “Thank You Lord!” ?
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God’s Healing(vs.3)- God said, “… I am the Lord who heals you.” (Exo.15:26). Jesus Christ bore our sin and sickness on the cross and by His stripes we are healed (Isa.53:5). How can we forget all those times we have experienced His healing in our lives? How often Jesus the Balm of Gilead has soothed the bruises of your soul and healed your broken heart! Did you forget so easily? Thank Him today for His healing!
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God’s Great Deeds(vs.6,7)- How many occasions can we recount of God’s great deliverance in our lives? The times He rescued us from great dangers; and when no one could help, He brought the right kind of help across your path! Like the Psalmist can we say, “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me? I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.” (Psalm 116:12,13)
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God’s Compassion (vs.9,13,14)-How great is His compassion that does not strive with us, knows our frame and remembers that we are just dust! His tender mercy towards us is great when He forgives our great wrongs. “ Ps.130:3&4: “If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared.” He carries us close to His bosom and gently leads the weak (Isa.40:11); He has us on His heart always!
Though the Psalm enlists the above reasons for us to praise the Lord, think of the countless blessings we receive from Him day by day- not enough reasons to praise Him? Think of all the good things you enjoyed from His hand the past year – did it not come from the Giver of all blessings? If only we would learn to develop an attitude of gratitude, our troubles would look less threatening, our sorrows halved and our joys doubled! Think of it!
Let’s cultivate praise to our Maker and Sustainer! Let us say with the Psalmist, “Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation!” Selah [Psalm 68:19]
PRAYER: “Abba Father, I give thanks to You for the precious gift of life- above all the gift of salvation and pray You will help me have a heart of gratitude to You always. Amen.”
Listen: Great is Thy Faithfulness!
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