REMEMBER

Psalms 103:2 “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”

Here is a great little reading from an anonymous author. It is entitled, “Life – But No Living”. It reads:

First I was dying to finish high school and start college. And then I was dying to finish college and start working. And then I was dying to marry and have children. And then I was dying for my children to grow old enough for school so I could return to work. And then I was dying to retire. And now, I am dying…and suddenly I realize I forgot to live.

So often, we push ahead to the next big goal or event in life and we fail to live today. We should stop everyday in order to realize that we are blessed. God has given us some wonderful benefits to enjoy for life and living today. Let’s slow down a bit in order to learn and recognize what these are.

That’s the way the Psalm begins by David stirring himself up to bless the Lord. Maybe he was in a season of complaining. Perhaps he was numb to God’s blessings or apathetic and unable to recognize how blessed he really was. To bless means to say good things about the Lord in a spirit of admiration and gratitude and wonder. David seems to have been successful motivating himself, because by the time he reaches the end of the Psalm, he’s inviting angels and creation to join him. There’s something about worship and gratitude that is expansive and inclusive. From the tiny little chicken gathering her yellow chicks under her wings to the complexity of the human body to the beauty of an autumn hillside, we begin to see God’s glory and it causes us to want to say good things about him. Consequently, the Psalmist never made one petition in this Psalm.

The Bible informs us that there are many benefits that come along with serving the Lord. Some of them are tangible and others are intangible. Some of these benefits are: forgiveness, loving kindness, renewed strength, mercy, grace, healing and many more.

One bumper sticker from years ago states that the benefits of serving the Lord are ‘out of this world...so true. When we focus on the many good things that the Lord has given to us, we begin to overflow with thanksgiving. It is a natural response to so many blessings.

In our natural state, it is easy to dwell on our problems, our shortcomings, and the disapproval of those who despise us. Yet when we fix our eyes on Jesus and allow his grace to saturate our minds and souls, then we begin to see the world in a new perspective. We discover that the benefits of serving the Lord are greater than anything the world has to offer.

Nothing compares to the loving grace so freely bestowed upon us by God through his Son, Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit quickens our hearts to give him praise, adoration and thanksgiving.

Today, let us give Jesus the glory that is due his name for the wonderful blessings that are ours because of his sacrificial death on Calvary. Let us take the time to ponder the benefits that are ours because of our relationship with him.