If you are looking for a quiet resting place today, take a walk in Psalm 103. It begins: “My soul, praise Yahweh, and all that is within me, praise His holy name. My soul, praise the Lord, and do not forget all His benefits. He forgives all your sin; He heals all your diseases.” [Psalm 103:1-3 HCSB]
It is so easy to forget. Last night I forgot our nighttime medications. I was getting ready for bed when Bob asked, “Did we take our pills?” Nope, I forgot. So, I asked him to remember to remind me to remember next time. Hopefully, one of us will remember.
The LORD’s benefits to us are very real. The psalmist lists two, forgiveness and healing. We could probably list many more, rest, renewal, the promise of a future and a hope, peace that passes understanding, an inheritance in the saints, new mercies every morning. That does not even scratch the surface of blessings found in the LORD.
Still, it is easy to forget. The things of this life are often louder or seemingly more intense. They distract and pull us toward them. Will I lose my job? Can I afford groceries or gas? Can I feed my family? Will I get this virus? Will my employer provide protection? Will I die? Those are just a few 2020 distractions, not to mention the regular ones, like cancer or loss of a loved one, aging, or rebellious children or …?
The psalmist provides the best way to not forget God’s benefits by reminding us to praise the LORD, to bless His Holy Name. To command our soul to praise our LORD is to put God’s blessings foremost before us. To do so drives the other things into the background.
There is nothing like praising God to find the renewal we need in those green pastures beside those still, quiet waters. Praise Him today, beloved, and see if the things of life that challenge us most are not rendered silent before Him.
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