Living on Benefits!

TEXT:

‘Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul, and forget not [one of] all His benefits’ Psalm 103:2 AMPC

THOUGHT:

In the UK, there are negative and positive attitudes to living on benefits. The negative side is often seen when people have a benefits culture. They abuse the system and through deceit and over-exaggeration of their need, receive what they are not really entitled to. Children raised in households that act in this way often grow up with that taking attitude and demanding rights; never wanting to contribute anything worthwhile to the society that has benefitted them. It is all too easy to complain that benefits are never enough, but go to a country that has none and you will readily see how blessed we really are!

The positive side to living on benefits is not always stated. It is someone else, usually the state, giving a helping hand whether financial or practical, to get someone back on their feet or to make the remainder of their days more comfortable. Some government benefits are not means tested so everyone gets it whether they need it or not. This can appear to be a waste of money. A prime example is the Winter Fuel Allowance and Christmas Bonus which I received for the first time last year. I did not need the money but it came anyway. I am not the only one who thinks this benefit should only be given to those who need it most.

Laziness and greed can make some over-claim, but pride can make others not want to claim at all. Every year millions of pounds lie unclaimed by those entitled to receive it. What a shame!

I was reading Psalm 103 and verse 2 inspired me for this teaching. David wrote, “Do not forget all His benefits”. As king he wanted for nothing, yet there were things money could not buy. He believed in a God who wanted to bless His people with worthwhile benefits. Have you forgotten how dependent we are on God, even for the air that we breathe? It is time to say “Thank You” and bless the Lord.  David listed several things he never wanted to forget God had blessed him with.

• That he was forgiven – ‘He forgives all my sins’

David experienced the highs of defeating Goliath and the lows of committing adultery with Bathsheba. Yet he never doubted he was forgiven. Did he deserve it? No! Do we? No! This is the grace of God. He gave Jesus to be the sacrifice for our sins. Amazing grace! Have you ever said “Thank You” to God for this benefit?

• That he could be healed – ‘and heals all my diseases’

Some psalms mention David being healed. He never wrongly thought God was punishing him with illness; rather that he had stepped out of line and sickness had resulted.  Jesus proved that forgiveness and healing can go together when He raised the paralysed man up from his stretcher. He first forgave him, and then healed him – see Mark 2:1-12.

• That he could be protected – ‘He redeems me from death’

He was protected from known enemies and unknown dangers. David was convinced of this and wrote, ‘Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me’ – Psalm 23:4. Even Satan complained that he could not break through God’s hedge of protection around Job.

• That he enjoyed God’s favour – ‘and crowns me with love and tender mercies’

It is one thing to know we are saved but it is another to realise we are blessed with all the promises of God – Read Ephesians 1:3-14. David lived with the favour of God. He was not only a man after God’s own heart; he was God’s kind of man!

• That he could experience rejuvenation – ‘He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle!’

David loved God’s word. It is likened to bread and will feed us spiritually. It is wonderful to read the Bible, hear God speak to us and then go out with an added spring in our step because of that word! God’s joy is our strength and can make us feel younger and more active. ‘A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired’ – Proverbs 17:22 The Message.

David is the author of at least 73 psalms out of the 150 in the Bible. Many express his life experiences and most start and end with praise. He did not care who saw and heard him praising God. He believed in the benefits and wanted to continually thank the Benefactor.

The Psalmist said, ‘What will I give to the Lord [in return] for all His benefits toward me? [How can I repay Him for His precious blessings?]’ – Psalm 116:12 AMP. In answer to his own question he replied, ‘I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord’ – v17.

Now that is something we can all safely imitate!