Forget Not

Monday shaped up to be the stereo-typical Monday. It was a hectic weekend. I was tired, and thought I’d have the week to rest, but as the day went on, more and more things got added to the week including a second dentist appointment and the DMV. I had to keep fighting against grouchiness, grumbling, and complaining. Late afternoon, I sat down to read through Psalm 103. I had already decided to write on verse 2 this week, but I like to start with reading the whole Psalm through. Then I re-read marking all the “God is” truths. Then re-read several more times looking for other truths.

Lately for studying, I have been using the ESV Scripture Journals. One side has the Scripture. The other side is ruled paper for writing notes. Only verse 1 was on the first page of Psalm 103 as the end of Psalm 102 took up the rest. I stopped after reading verse 1.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And all that is within me,

Bless His holy name!

Think of one of those days where everything seems to go wrong or maybe it is a go-go-go all day kind of day. You finally get to sit, put your feet up and relax. Maybe you even exhale audibly as your body thanks you for stopping and resting. That’s how I felt when I read verse 1. God’s peace settled on me as I realized that all the stuff that popped up during the day is nothing compared to spending time blessing and glorifying God. We were made to worship God. Yes, there are things we need to do, but the most important thing we need is to bask in God’s presence and with all that is within us, bless His holy name.

I could stop there. It’s more than enough to meditate on. It makes me think of the bridge in the song Well Doneby the Afters that looks forward to heaven.

What will it be like when I hear that sound? All of heaven's angels crying out Singing holy, holy, holy are You, Lord Singing holy, holy, holy are You, Lord Singing holy, holy, holy are You, Lord Waiting my whole life for that day

I close my eyes when that part comes on, and I can picture being surrounded by all of heaven worshipping and blessing God (vs 20-22). I feel like my soul fills up. What a glorious day to look forward to! And yet, right here, right now, we can bless the Lord with our whole selves. Verse 2 sets the stage for why we bless the Lord.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And forget not all His benefits.

It is easy for me to focus on the inconveniences, physical pain, endless errands or commitments, cleaning, making dinner, dentist appointments, and DMV lines, and I quickly forget God’s benefits that are so abundant. Verses 3-19 walk us through a few of the benefits that God pours out on those who fear Him, keep His covenant, and obey His commands. Reasons why we should forget not.

• God forgives all our iniquity (vs 3) – Wow! That benefit alone is amazing. I doubt that I have ever gone a day without sinning in some way and usually multiple ways in my thoughts, words, and actions, but God forgives it all because Jesus’ paid the penalty in my place. God’s forgiveness is complete (vs 12) and is a result of His steadfast love (vs 11).

• God heals all our diseases (vs 3) – This is not a health and wealth promise. It is best understood in the context of when sickness is a result of sin (Psalm 32; 38; James 5:15-16) since this follows God forgiving all our iniquity. At the same time, it does not mean that all sickness is the result of sin (ex. Job who did not sin but was struck by Satan). God is able to heal any and every disease if that is His will for our sanctification and His glorification, but healing may not happen for some until heaven. We can praise Him for the healing He does work on earth and for the future day when there will be no more sickness or pain at all. We can also bless Him for the spiritual healing we received at salvation.

• God redeems our life from the pit (vs 4) – Often sickness can lead to death. For those in Christ, death is gain (Philippians 1:21). But we also know that those in Christ, are redeemed at salvation as well. Jesus redeemed us from eternal death by His own atoning death and resurrection.

• God satisfies us with good things so that we are renewed like an eagle – We have countless good things that we take for granted because they are part of our everyday. My first sweet pea of the summer bloomed a few days ago. I LOVE the smell of sweet peas. My sweet pea is just one of God’s good blessings.

• God works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed (vs 6) – God sees and hears the oppressed. We can be assured that because He is righteous and just, He is working on behalf of the oppressed (Psalm 13).

• God is merciful, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love (vs 8).

• God will not always chide or stay angry (vs 9) – In the Old Testament, we read how Israel would break covenant with God in sin and idolatry. God was faithful to a faithless people (like we are) and did not stay angry, but instead was forgiving.

• God doesn’t deal with us as our sin deserves (vs 10) – Jesus received what we deserved.

• God’s steadfast love is great towards us (vs 11) and is eternal (vs 17).

• God shows us compassion as a loving Father (vs 12).

• God remembers that we are weak and frail (vs 14-16).

• God’s throne is established, and He rules over all (vs 19) – God is always sovereign over every situation. Even Satan cannot act apart from God’s rule (Job 1:6-12).

David ends Psalm 103 with inviting the angels and all creation to bless the Lord with him (vs 20-22). “Bless the Lord, O my soul!”

Reflection

1. What situations tempt you to forget God’s benefits and to complain? Make your own specific list of God’s benefits from Psalm 103 (tie in to writing out “God is” truths) as well as others you can think of that apply to the situations that tempt you. When you are tempted to forget God’s benefits, review your list. Better yet, review it regularly so you are prepared before temptation comes.

2. What are some of God’s benefits that you are particularly thankful for today?

3. Spend time blessing and worshipping God for who He is and what He has done.