Do you call yourself a Christian, Christ-follower, or believer? What does that mean for you? Did the decision to put your faith in Christ change your life, or did you look at it as a one-and-done thing that impacted your future but not your present? It might be time for a bit of reflection on that point.
I’ve been thinking a lot about the future recently, and I’ve found that the more I reflect on the day of his return and eternal life, the more I realize the impact of Christ in this moment, this time, this age of grace. Today I am digging into Psalm 103. There is no one better than David to remind us of the importance of praising God for all he’s done on our behalf. At my advanced age, I’m returning to a childhood habit of memorizing scripture. This psalm might prove to be one worthy of your efforts.
Praise him from your inmost parts.
To be known by the Creator of all the universe is humbling. To be chosen and loved by him is even more overwhelming. Reflect on that first moment of salvation—the day you knew and accepted the fact that Jesus had come and died on a cross to save you from your sins. As you trusted him, you were overcome with his peace, knowing that your eternal future was secure. You’d been saved by his blood and sealed by the Holy Spirit.
What comes next? Praise. Praise from your lips and voice, yes, but also praise from the depth of your heart and soul. This is what David’s talking about.
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Psalm 103:1 NIV
Are you praising the Lord today like you did that first day of salvation? Stop and remember that day and let the praise return.
Praise him for all his benefits.
God is worthy of our praise just because he’s Lord Almighty, King of the Universe, Maker of heaven and earth. We could stop right there and still be praising him through all eternity. Yet, David’s song of praise reminds us that we must praise God, not only for who he is but for all the extras too—the fringe benefits he offers us.
Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—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’s.
Psalm 103:2-5
A huge part of maintaining a firm faith and growing in the likeness of Christ is related to the act of remembering. Moses was constantly telling the Israelites to remember and not forget all that God had done for them to come out of Egypt and enter the Promised Land. Their forgetfulness cost them over the years and proved a hindrance to God’s blessings on them as a people. When we forget all the benefits of knowing God through Christ, we too, miss out on the blessings.
The God we serve has forgiven our sins. Without this grace, we would be forever cut off from the presence of God. This forgiveness came at a price we must not forget—the blood of Christ.
The God we serve heals us of all diseases. Scripture is clear that harboring sin affects our bodies. While this fallen world affects believers and non-believers alike, meaning believers do become ill, God is faithful to bring complete healing through death. He can heal on either side of eternity—either way, healing is guaranteed.
The God we serve redeems our lives from the pit of Hell and destruction. We’re snatched from the jaws of a devastating eternity by the redemption offered in Christ Jesus.
The God we serve crowns us—adds to us—love and compassion. These are attributes and qualities that are unique to him, but which he chooses to share with us. In Christ, we are now able to love others as God first loved us and to show compassion, not because a person is worthy of it, but because our compassion shows them Christ in us.
The God we serve satisfies our desires. Jesus is enough. All the good we have in this life; we recognize as coming from him. We don’t have to wear ourselves out for the things of this world, because we are satisfied with all the good, we have in and through Christ Jesus.
And there’s more!
These first five verses of Psalm 103 are just the tip of the iceberg of the benefits of believing in and knowing Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior. He is the God who works righteousness and justice for us, is compassionate and gracious towards us, and does not treat us as our sins deserve. He is the God who loves us and will continue to make himself known to all generations.
We serve the Lord Almighty, King of the Universe, Maker of heaven and earth, because he alone is worthy. We praise him because not only is he above all things and over all things, but in knowing him, we receive many amazing benefits.
Reflect upon the benefits of knowing Christ and being sealed by his Spirit for salvation. Write your own psalm of praise to the Lord!
Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the Lord, my soul. Psalm 103:22
Grace and Peace
If you missed the last Wednesday Wisdom, click HERE, or check out these other posts on praising Christ for all his benefits: Gems from Genesis: Chapter 49, Eternity, He Gives Us a Song, and Count Your Blessings.
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