Bless the Lord, O my Soul

Click the link below and read the entire passage and let the Lord speak to you before come back and read what I learned today. My lessson may not be the lesson that God has for you.

Psalm 103

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
The stirring chorus is running through that jukebox in my head. Growing up we sang this song all the time. In fact so much that one could sing it while planning a meal, organizing their afternoon, critiqing the outfit of the individual in the other row or MANY other "important" things that run through our minds when we're supposed to be worshiping God.

What does it mean to "bless God"? I had to stop and ponder that. I just could not put it into words. John Piper get really in depth, but I agree with his conclusions. When God blesses us we are helped. When we bless God, we recognize that he is the source of all blessing.

I hope to remember this next time I sing that chorus.

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits ;
How quickly we forget the Lords benefits. As a child I got mad at the Israelites because all the had to do was obey the Lord and he would bless them. He rescued them from Egypt and performed many miracles in the desert and gave them the promised land. Yet they still turned from him. When I think that all that God had done for me...and I still turn from Him. I guess I'm not that different after all.

3 Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases ;
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faith and just to forgive us our sins and cleans us from all unrighteousness. He will and does forgive all our sins.

Does he always heal? The apostle Paul prayed 3 times for healing, but God told him no. He want Paul to rely on His grace. When healing does occur it comes from Him.

4 Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion ;
Every been depressed? I have. When I focus on me it's easy to get in the dumps. However when I focus on Christ and what he has done and who I am because of what he has done, my soul is releaved.

The redeeming work of the cross is proof of His lovingkindness and compassion.
Rom 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

5 Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.
When our kids ask us for a cookie and we give them an apple we have done a good thing even if they don't think so. It's the same with our father. We may not understand what we are going through, but he does and it is for our own good.

6 The LORD performs righteous deeds And judgments for all who are oppressed. 7 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel.
How long did the nation of Israel suffer in Egypt? The Lord acts righteously in His time. In the right time, with the right man God delivered Israel. So it is with us. He is righteous with us in His judgements.

8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. 9 He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. 10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
Praise God for this truth. When God does dicipline us because we turn from Him, He will not stay angry for ever. Nor does he immediately SMASH us when we rebel.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Can one even fathom the concept here? We as humans are so shallow.

13 Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Not everyone has a good earthly father so this analogy is lost on them. I am grateful for the Dad that God gave me. However if your dad did not measure up, realize that God is the perfect father and he will comfort you.

14 For He Himself knows our frame ; He is mindful that we are but dust. 15 As for man, his days are like grass ; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. 16 When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, And its place acknowledges it no longer.
God knows how weak and temporary we are. Only we that are confined by time think our life is long.

17 But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children's children, 18 To those who keep His covenant And remember His precepts to do them.
God is not confined by time. He will fulfill His promises to those that follow Him.

19 The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all.
God is God. Nothing happens without His knowledge or allowing it to happen.

20 Bless the LORD, you His angels, Mighty in strength, who perform His word, Obeying the voice of His word ! 21 Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, You who serve Him, doing His will. 22 Bless the LORD, all you works of His, In all places of His dominion ; Bless the LORD, O my soul !
Take time to bless the Lord.

Bless the LORD, O my soul.