Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Psalm 103:2-5 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
BLESS THE LORD (2)
As the thoughts of this psalm move forward, there's a weaving of both spiritual and physical elements. God takes care of both. He heals our diseases, but He also forgives our sins. He provides daily bread, but He also redeems us from destruction. These are just a few of the "benefits" that God bestows.
The theme of God's forgiveness was so important to David that he spent the majority of verses in this psalm describing it. Two memorable illustrations stand out in our memories. First, God's forgiveness is as high as the heavens are above the earth (v. 11). The concept of the heavens means much more than just the atmosphere above the land and water. It ultimately stretches out to the entire universe. As limitless as the expanse of space is, so is the Lord's gracious mercy.
The second illustration is like the first; "as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us" (v. 12). Again, God's forgiveness is described as having the same reach as an infinite measure. The east and west never join and therefore expand in a limitless way. God has taken our sins just as far away.
What more need we say about God's care of our lives and reasons why we should "Bless His holy name"? Shame on any who add qualifications and requirements to God's grace. He provides these blessings in His love, which is just as limitless as His forgiveness. We have no right to keep this truth in the shadows in favor of holding people where we want them to be. Bless the Lord by freely sharing this good news with all!
