The God of Many Benefits: Psalm 103

I’ve got an extremely busy week this week, so my blogs may be a little thin but I still plan to post each day. This past week the subject was anger and I received a high level response from people dealing with anger issues. God has given us the means to break free from anger. If you have anger issues, I encourage you to really think through your workbook lesson this week and identify the underlying root to your anger and deal with it. The Break Free lessons build on each other and it may be a former lesson dealt with the issue that is triggering your anger. Also, be sure to join us for the Encounter weekend. You have one more week to register.

Psa. 103:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul;

         And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

His name represents who He is and calls into remembrance his character, his nature, as well as His mighty acts and deeds.

Psa. 103:2   Bless the LORD, O my soul,

         And forget not all His benefits:

Psa. 103:3   Who forgives all your iniquities,

         Who heals all your diseases,

God cleanses sin and also heals diseased bodies.

Psa. 103:4   Who redeems your life from destruction,

         Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

Psa. 103:5   Who satisfies your mouth with good things,

         So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Psa. 103:6   The LORD executes righteousness

         And justice for all who are oppressed.

Psa. 103:7   He made known His ways to Moses,

         His acts to the children of Israel.

Psa. 103:8   The LORD is merciful and gracious,

         Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

God anger is slow and like mercy and grace, are characteristics of His goodness.

Psa. 103:9   He will not always strive with us,

         Nor will He keep His anger forever.

Psa. 103:10          He has not dealt with us according to our sins,

         Nor punished us according to our iniquities.

Psa. 103:11          For as the heavens are high above the earth,

         So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;

Psa. 103:12          As far as the east is from the west,

         So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

East and west never come together and that is how far God has removed our transgression from those who have trusted Him.

Psa. 103:13          As a father pities his children,

         So the LORD pities those who fear Him.