Bless the LORD

I am reminded that there are no coincidences in life … That random text message that says “I’m praying for you” … A car license plate with a Scripture reference that you needed to see. The reunion of childhood friends. The reunion of a former teacher and student. Relationships forged through the fires of this life. Songs played at the right moment. Or a sermon that is JUST what your soul needed …
Make no mistake, Dear Friend, there are no coincidences in this life. These events are filtered through the Father’s hands. The One who works ALL things together for the good of His people for His eternal glory.
Today was that kind of day … and make no mistake about it, often times, the sermons line up with what I need ... Due to some personal struggles, today ... well, it was just so very needed! 
How often I forget! I needed today, and I have an inclination that I’m not the only one, so I wanted to share quite a bit of today’s message with you.
The passage of Scripture for today’s sermon was Psalm 103. (To read it, click on the passage and it will take you to a new page.)

How are we to reflect and respond to what God has done in our lives?
How are we to reflect and respond to that which He has so graciously taught us?

We are to do what the psalmist did in Psalm 103.
We are to BLESS THE LORD!
To bless the LORD … to praise Him … We MUST remember!!!

In verses 2-9, we are told to “forget not His benefits” … REMEMBER!
Yes, there are benefits to loving/following/serving Jesus. What are some of those benefits?

• He forgives ALL our iniquity.
• He heals ALL our diseases … either here on earth or in eternity with Him.
• He redeems/rescues His people from Hell.
• He lavishes His steadfast love and mercy on His people. The Hebrew word for “steadfast love” is hesed. It is used some 250 times in the Old Testament. The LORD’s hesed stirs Him to loving action on our behalf.
• He satisfies/renews us through His ordinary means of grace. Things like worship, reading/teaching of the sacred Scriptures, praying, fellowship with other believers, etc … We have to lean in to the Word of God!
• He delivers His people and brings justice to their oppressors.
• He is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love (hesed).

BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL!

In verses 10-13, we are reminded to “forget not your justification and adoption” …

• Justification is a legal term … it’s what happens when we repent of our sins and acknowledge Jesus as the LORD of our lives. God the Father sees us as if we were Jesus … and on Calvary, Jesus was seen and treated as if He were you and me. Experiencing the full wrath of God … why? For redemption.
• Adoption … what a precious term! Not only are we legally declared innocent, we are brought into the family of God … to be loved eternally! 

One of the most radical statements from today’s sermon was that the Father loves His adopted children (Christians) as much as He loves His Son (Jesus Christ)! I still can’t wrap my brain around this!!! Can you??
BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL!

In verses 14-19, we are reminded to “forget not who God is … who we are”. We have to remember our King! The only true Sovereign who is eternally reigning on high. Through tumultuous political seasons, traumatic medical issues, loss, grief, heartache of any kind, and so much more. We must remember our King! And as we remember Him and His love for us, we are to remember to obey! Not from a sense of duty but from a heart of love and great gratitude.
BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL!

The psalmist ends the psalm how he started it …
BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL!
May you and I remember!
May we forget not!
And may we -no matter the trials we WILL face in this life- praise the One who has a plan and a purpose.
​May we never neglect to say BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL!
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