By Kevin Harris, pastor of the Illawarra Community Baptist Church in Wollongong, NSW
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Psalm 103:2-5
The year is rapidly drawing to a close. It is a good time to reflect on God’s good treatment of me in 2023.
The words forget not translate a Hebrew word which means ‘to mislay, to be oblivious to from failure of memory or attention.’
How human it is to receive a kindness and quickly overlook it. Sadly, my nature also is quick to remember ill treatment for years.
I’m grateful that at my new birth the Spirit of God gave me a new nature that lobbies to reverse this trend.
I must remember benefits in human interactions. For example, my wife just cooked me a beautiful breakfast of scrambled eggs sprinkled with bacon bits. It took her ten to fifteen minutes to cook that breakfast for me. That was a sacrifice of her time and energy to serve me. It was a benefit, and I should notice it and express my gratitude.
How much more so when Almighty God gives me what Spurgeon called an ‘endless chain of grace’? In the three verses that follow Psalm 103:2 He mentions sins forgiven, its power subdued and its penalty averted. Then we are honoured, supplied, and our very nature renovated.
He deserves to be adored for treating this sinner so well!
Father, please help me not to mislay your benefits. Help me instead to record and recount them to myself, to others, and to You. You are extremely kind to me. When I was lost in sin, You found me and forgave me. When I was made a slave to sinful passions, You subdued them and released me. When I was hell-bound, You rescued me and promised me a home with You in heaven someday. You constantly crown me with lovingkindness and tender mercies. Every day You satisfy my mouth with good things. Through Your Word, You renew my youth like an eagle’s annual moulting makes it look young and fresh. Therefore I adore You. I bless You in the Name of the Lord Jesus, Amen.
This article was written by Kevin Harris Dapto pastor of Illawarra Community Baptist Church.