Monday, August 15, 2016
Psalm 103:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!
BLESS THE LORD (1)
In the midst of human competition, it's not uncommon to hear about someone who stands out from the rest. We hear things like, "They're in a league of their own," or "They're on an entirely different level than the rest." We use those phrases when trying to explain the significance of someone's ability. As the Olympics are at the forefront of athletic competition right now, I'm sure you've heard sentiments like these expressed by the commentators.
David began this Psalm with a similar thought. When speaking about his praise of God, David remarked, "Bless His holy name!" Essentially, God is on a level of His own. No one compares with God's greatness or His perfection. We use the word "sanctification" to describe the same thing, especially that which the God the Holy Spirit works in our hearts by the gospel. Literally, He sets us apart on a completely different level than we started at in life.
God's level of holiness is much more significant than winning an athletic competition, even against the greatest athletes in the world. God plucks us out of Satan's clutches and sets us on the rock-solid ground of His Word. He grants us renewal daily in the living hope of forgiveness through His Son, Jesus. We are atop this plane, free to serve the Lord and safe from the evils of sin and death. What more can we do to express our appreciation for this free gift than echo David’s word of praise, "Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me!" God deserves the commitment of our lives for the blessings on His grace.
