TEXT:
‘Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits’ – Psalm 103:2
THOUGHT:
Governments have the responsibility of deciding how much money is available for the benefit of their citizens. The new Chancellor of the Exchequer is currently preparing his budget for the next fiscal year. A rich country, as Britain is, still has to balance the books, trying to be generous whilst at the same time not overspending or borrowing more than it can afford to repay.
Much criticism is rightly aimed at those who abuse the benefits system. Not only are they taking money they are not entitled to, spending it selfishly instead of working and making a contribution to society, but also they are diminishing the pot of gold to distribute amongst those who really are genuine cases.
While a government’s resources are finite, God’s are infinite! He has the power to respond immediately, even if everyone in the world called upon Him at the same time. God does not determine someone’s suitability for His benefits according to their need, but according to their faith. The more we can see God has available, the more we will ask for and the more God can respond in a way that pleases Him and displays His love, power and greatness.
David, the author of this psalm, reminded himself not to forget God’s benefits that were shaping and blessing his life. There is no shame for anyone living on God’s benefits. In fact it is the best thing anyone can do! David highlighted five things we should thank God for on a daily basis.
- God had forgiven him, so he was able to forgive those who sinned against him – ‘He forgives your sins—every one’ – v3 MSG.
David had been a fearless shepherd who defended his sheep from wild animals. Next a military leader who had become king, yet he had a tender heart that cried out to God in repentance whenever he got it wrong. As God dealt gently with him so he was able to forgive those who hurt him. King Saul who had relentlessly pursued and persecuted him, trying to stop him from becoming king and also David’s son Absalom, who led a rebellion against his authority as king.
The more we realise just how much God has forgiven us, the easier it makes it for us to forgive others. Jesus incorporated this truth into the Lord’s Prayer. ‘Forgive us as we also forgive others’ – Luke 11:4. Does the way we treat others reflect how we want others to treat us?
So today you can thank God that because of Jesus, all your sins are forgiven! Hallelujah!
- God had provided healing, whatever the cause of the sickness or disease – ‘He heals your diseases—every one’ – v3 MSG.
The Bible is full of accounts of how God supernaturally healed physical needs of sickness and disease, whether the cause was due to a person’s sinful behaviour or simply living in a body that got older, deteriorated and would one day die. Reading about how God intervened in the lives of ordinary people should inspire faith that He is willing to do the same for us, for that is the real reason why it has been recorded.
Although a Christian does not have to fear dying as heaven awaits them, they can certainly help prevent a premature departure and make life easier for themselves on earth through God’s miraculous power intervening and keeping them healthy. It is important to realise that Jesus did not just heal people because they needed Him to, but because He was driven by love and wanted to.
God wants to do the same for you too, so thank Him. You will be amazed at the impact on your body by doing just that and the difference it will make to your well-being.
- God would protect him from danger, both seen and unknown – ‘He saves my life from going down into the grave’ – v4 NIRV
Just as there is a God who loves us, there is a devil that hates and wants to destroy us. Jesus said, ‘The thief comes to steal and to kill and to destroy’ – John 10:10. David certainly experienced God’s protection while he was being persecuted, pursued and also in warfare. He famously declared this when facing Goliath, ‘The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!’ – 1 Samuel 17:37 NLT.
However big your giant may appear, it is not bigger than God! So remind yourself that the God of your past is also the God of your today and thank Him.
Paul encouraged the Corinthian church with this statement, ‘As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally—not a bad idea since he’s the God who raises the dead! And he did it, rescued us from certain doom. And he’ll do it again, rescuing us as many times as we need rescuing’ – 2 Corinthians 1:9-10 MSG.
Why not right now lift your hands to God and thank Him!
(In Part 2 we will study the other two things David thanked God for)
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