Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 103:1-6
Psalms 103:1-6
1 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits--3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. 6 The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
While heaven is our ultimate goal and our reason for living, we don’t need to forget that God is with us now. This life is far from heaven and is filled with all kinds of problems, disappointments, diseases, death, trials, sin and heartaches. These are things that we all face at times and are just what we call a “normal” part of our lives. Of course, some face more than others and each of us may face different things but we all have our share and then some. Paul tells us we can turn these things over to God in prayer with thanksgiving because the Lord is near.
When things get so bad that we don’t even know how to express it to God in words, we have his Holy Spirit to intercede for us. When we think that surely God cannot really understand our plight, we are reminded that Jesus lived life just like we do and he faced all these same things and he understands. When life seems to turn against us, we can know that God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to bear (with his help and his strength) and will give us a way out of it. He never sleeps, gets distracted, goes on vacation or ignores us. He is always ready to listen to our prayer and to answer it.
So we praise the Lord for this goodness to us. We praise his holy name because he continually blesses us, even in ways we don’t seek or know. We cannot begin to know all God has done for us and how he has altered circumstances or given alternative opportunities. We too often (like Balaam) don’t see the angel and think we know what is going on and then do things about as ridiculous as not just talking to a donkey but arguing with it. Praise God from whom all blessings flow for our God is good and his love is everlasting. Thank you God!
I do thank you God for all you do for me every day. It is so easy to think I am in control of my life and that I really know what is going on. Please don’t let me fall into that trap of Satan. I realize you are in control of all things and you are my constant protector and my guide. I praise you for the wisdom you give and ask for more. I thank you for the strength you provide in times of trials. I give you praise most of all for your willingness to provide a way of salvation from my sin. Give me a pure heart so I will live in such a way that brings glory to you at all times. Use me to help others serve you and live for you. I pray in the name of Jesus.
--Robert
