Take 2 minutes this week sometime and read Psalm 103 entitled, "Bless the LORD, O My Soul."
This Psalm lists all the kind things the LORD does on our behalf (forgives all our iniquities, heals all our diseases, crowns us with steadfast love and mercy, casts our sins as far as the East is from the West, etc).
Which are YOU most thankful for this week and why?
Don't forget to comment on and encourage someone else's response!
Ben
As I continue to reflect upon God's grace towards me and provision towards me in placing me here at Redwood as the Worship Director and Pastor, I am thankful that "as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us" (verse 12). I know if I did not have that grace and mercy and forgiveness from Him in pardoning my trespasses, my transgressions, my sins, I would carry around my guilt and shame everywhere I went and it would weigh upon me like a backpack of rocks and I certainly could never feel worthy to be called "Christian" let alone "Pastor" and its a title that even still I can't think of without an incredible amount of humility and thankfulness for His grace and pardon towards me. Thank you Jesus!
ReplyDeleteSo thankful that "He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities" (verse 10)!!
ReplyDeleteWe sang a choral version of this Psalm called "All His Benefits" when I was in high school at RCS. It was a beautiful arrangement of this wonderful text.
A couple different verses really touch me from this Psalm. The first is from verse eight, "the Lord is merciful and gracious slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love".
ReplyDeleteThis verse really meant a lot to me. Many of the choir know the physical difficulties I had over the last number of years. I had some really dark days after losing my leg. I really felt as if the Lord was "testing me beyond that which I was able to handle"
But the Lord knew my needs and sent a wise man to my bedside in the hospital. this man wasn't even from my circle of support, but God knew I needed someone who would speak into my life. This man prayed with me, read scripture to me and challenged me to wake up each morning and pray to God for strength and then say these words "I will choose blessing over curse, I will choose life over death". This man came day after day continuing to care, challenge and speak into my life. I see this man as the embodiment of God's grace and steadfast love.
I continue with this routine every day. Got is giving me much strength and many days I don't feel like I need to ask him for the strength to say these words, I just feel these words and am convicted to believe these words and to trust God for the strength to carry-on.
Then verse 13 continues, "as a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him". I am so thankful for the compassion the Lord showers on me each day and the strength that he gives me to carry on.
Craig
Craig, I am blown away by your love for the Lord. What a fantastic testimony and reflection. Thank you for commenting man. Be sure to check out Page 2 "The Story: Creation and God's Generous Nature!" I'd love your comments there as well.
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