Psalm 103:1-5
Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me.
Bless His holy name.
Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not all His benefits;
Who forgives all our iniquities,
Who heals all our diseases,
Who redeems our lives from the pit,
Who crowns us with steadfast love and mercy,
Who satisfies our desires with good things,
So that our youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Isn’t it interesting that David seems to be talking to himself in this passage?
In fact, he is!
Why would David need to tell himself to bless the Lord?
It’s easy to sing God’s praises when life is good. When things are going as they should, praise and thanksgiving naturally spring up from within us, and flow out of us, without much thought.
But when faced with hardship; when pressed in on every side, it takes some serious effort to bring our praises to the Lord.
There comes times in our lives when we need to intentionally remind ourselves to bless the name of the Lord; to recall to memory all of the benefits that reside in serving our God. #blessthelord #meditateonhim Share on X
I hate to fly. I don’t fly very often, and so when I do, I’m always a nervous wreck. Not long ago, my family and I had taken a trip to California. While I sat in the airport, waiting to board the plane, my mind raced with thoughts of all that “could” go wrong.
Have you ever heard the acronym for fear?
False
Evidence
Appearing
Real
Yep, that about sums it up!
My stomach was in knots, my heart palpitated, my husband was talking to me, but I couldn’t make out a thing he was saying. True story!
And I was praying…..well, sort of.
I wasn’t praying with confidence, as though I was talking to someone who genuinely cares for my well-being. What I was doing, is what I like to call, panic praying.
“Lord, please protect us. Help me not to be afraid.”
“Lord, please protect us. Take away my fear.”
“Lord, please protect us- for you did not give me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.”
“Lord protect us. WHY AM I STILL SO AFRAID?!?!”
Finally, the Lord’s voice broke through my thoughts.
“Rachel, do you trust me?“
Without hesitation, I replied, “yes, of course!”
Then He said to me, “do you believe all of the things my Word says about me?”
Again, I answered, “yes, Lord.”
To which He replied, “then start acting like it!“
Ouch.
It’s not very often that God is stern with me, but when He is, I tend to pay attention.
Recognizing my wrong, I immediately repented for my poor behavior.
There, in that airport, I closed my eyes and began to recall all of the things the Bible says about the Lord.
One by one, I recounted them.
“Lord, you are my refuge and my strength; my shield and my song.”
“You are the Rock that is higher than I; my fortress and my strong tower. The righteous run into you, and we are saved.”
“You are kind, compassionate, caring and good.”
“You are faithful, trustworthy, loyal and just.”
“You are the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lord’s; the Great I AM.”
“You are the Alpha and Omega; the beginning and the end. The first and the last; who was, is, and is yet to come.”
“You are my greatest confidant, and my truest friend.”
As I did this, the anxiety and fear that threatened to suffocate me, suddenly melted away, and was replaced with sheer peace.
This peace remained with me, for the entire flight home.
I share this story, because when I read Psalm 103, this is what I imagine David was doing.
He was speaking to his own soul. He was stirring up within himself a cause for praise.
With intention, David deliberately urged his soul to remember the benefits of our God.
Sometimes, it is necessary for us to do the same, in order to get our eyes off of ourselves and our circumstances, and back onto God, where they belong.
Today, allow me to encourage you- whether you are in a season where praise comes easily, or you are in a season that is difficult and will require some serious effort on your part, open the Word of God, and recall to memory all that He is, all that He has done in the past, and all that He promises to yet do.
And let us bless His holy name!
Let’s talk!
Can you recall a time in your life when, like David, you had to convince your own soul to bless the Lord?
What are some things you can praise Him for today?
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