Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
How can we bless the Lord at a time of trial or loss? We can . . . when we remember all His benefits as Psalm 103 reminds us:
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Circumstances change continually. We’re tempted to fret. We try to figure things out. We become angry and impatient.
Will we remember our great and mighty Lord?
He forgives all (y)our iniquities,
Who heals all (y)our diseases, . . .
The struggle is great, . . .
to fret, or choose faith?
God waits. He’s patient and kind. It’s one thing to be patient, but patient and kind? That is glorious. That is the Lord. Fret brings on a deaf ear. Faith opens the hearing,
“Look up. Let go. Turn around. Follow Me.”
The struggle is great. There’s a war in our spirit. We have a choice to make.
When we look into His Word, we’re reminded that He who is faithful and true, keeps His promises:
He redeems (y)our life from destruction,
He crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
He satisfies (y)our mouth with good things,
So that (y)our youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Emphasis mine).
What will I think on today? What will I remember? The losses, the hurts? Or the promises of God?
Do I choose to believe the Lord, this moment, this day? Who is my Lord? Is it my own understanding or God’s proven character:
The Lord executes righteousness
And justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the children of Israel.
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
“For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water” Jeremiah 2:13.
Selfishness and a stubborn spirit steal and bring thirst to my soul. But to all who seek Him, Jesus, He gives benefits:
” . . . but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life” John 4:14.
If I’m aware that I’m full and overflowing with the Lord’s love and sufficient grace, then my eyes see the green pastures the Lord has made me to lie down in, ( even in the storm), then I understand He restores my soul, yesterday, today, forever. He is God.
Circumstances change, but God doesn’t.
Who is God that I should bless?
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.
He is a gracious and compassionate Lord whom we can trust at all times.
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.
Is He “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name?” Do we agree and ask to surrender as His children under His will?
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.
As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
And its place remembers it no more.
Do I bless the Lord and remember His Word? It is light and life to our soul when we choose Him, Jesus.
Yes, when we remember His benefits toward us, those who choose to be children, forgiven and free:
But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting
On those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children’s children,
To such as keep His covenant,
And to those who remember His commandments to do them.
The battle is won in prayer and praise.
Dear Lord, with all that is within me, let us remember all Your benefits:
The Lord has established His throne in heaven,
And His kingdom rules over all Psalm 103: 1-19.
Amen. Amen. And again, amen.