A big motivator for choosing
to work at one company versus another is the benefits package being offered. Good ones are worth thousands of dollars and
over time, potentially much more. In
Psalm 103, we’re encouraged to reflect on the incredible benefits God provides
to those who choose Him.
Psalm 103:2-5 - 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.
Things to think about:
· An attitude
of gratitude
o
Praise the Lord O my soul
o
If you don’t know what to thank God for today, here’s a great
starting point
· Forget not all His benefits
o
An unused benefit can be a lost benefit. In other cases, (like a 401k) just because
you’re not thinking about it doesn’t mean it’s not working on your behalf
· He forgives
all your sins
o
Not just some of them, not just some of the time, not partially
o
We are guilty before a Holy God who has no obligation to forgive
us except through His love for you and His mercy
o Psalm 51:7 - Cleanse me
with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
·
He heals all your diseases
o New body
§ 1 Corinthians
15:42-44 - So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body
that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it
is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is
raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is
raised a spiritual body.
o Sometimes the
healing is now, sometimes later
·
He redeems your life from the pit
o Like the prodigal son, we are wallowing
in filth with the pigs
o Sometimes when you’re in it, you don’t
see it for what it is and it’s only when you can see the contrast you
understand
·
He
crowns you with love and compassion
o Crowns – we’re children of the King
o Love and compassion
§ He knows we
are made from dust. He doesn’t wag His
finger at us saying we should know better.
§ We’re free
from judgement and condemnation
·
He satisfies your desires with good things
o Matthew 6:33
- But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things
will be given to you as well.
o Matthew 7:9-11
- “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or
if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If
you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask
him!
o You’re never
too old!
§ Genesis 17:1-2 - When Abram was
ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said,
“I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then
I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your
numbers.”
·
So
that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s
o Life is hard and exhausting
o Matthew 11: 28-30 - “Come
to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take
my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden
is light.”
o Philippians 4:13 - I can do all this
through him who gives me strength.
Wow! Any one of these would be enough to fall on
your knees and give God thanks and “praise the Lord”. All of these, in full measure are yours
TODAY. This is a passage worth
committing to memory to remind yourself so when things don’t look so good that
God has given you more than you could ever hope or imagine.
No comments:
Post a Comment