REMEMBER HIS BENEFITS -- Monday:
"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's" (Psalm 103:2-5)
The Spirit apprizes us that God "loads" us with "benefits" every day (Psa 68:19). They are of such magnitude that a response is demanded from us. Elsewhere David pondered, "What shall I render unto the LORD for all His benefits toward me?" He concluded that the only appropriate response was to "take the cup of salvation," "call upon the name of the Lord," and pay his vows "unto the Lord now in the presence of His people" (Psa 116:12-14). A response that large can only be induced by seeing something remarkable. In the case of our text, that something is called "His benefits."
The word "benefits" is one of great depth. It includes the idea of reward, or dividend, as well as advantage and well-being. These "benefits" do not refer to the normalities of life, experienced by saint and sinner alike. These are not like God making "His sun to rise on the evil and on the good," and sending "rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matt 5:45). It should be apparent that the benefits of reference are advantages heaped upon those who live by faith, trusting in the Lord with all of their heart. Because they are loaded upon us "DAILY," it is possible for them to escape our attention. Therefore, the Lord moves David to enumerate some of them to aid us in a godly remembrance of them.
FORGIVENESS. "Who forgives all your iniquities" (NKJV). Here is a blessing that is far greater in magnitude to you than it was to David. It is experienced while we "walk in the light," as well as when we "confess our sins" (1 John 1:7,9). The magnitude of the expression "ALL your iniquities" must not escape us. The clearer this is seen, the less power sin will have over us, and the most impotent Satan becomes.
HEALING. "Who heals all your diseases" (NKJV). Scriptural healing includes diseases of the body (Matt 10:1) and the soul (Psa 41:4). It includes delivering us from getting sick in the first place (Deut 7:15) as well as raising us up from the sick bed (James 5:15). If you have good health, it has come from the Lord. If you have recovered from illness, it is the Lord's doing. This applies to both the soul and the body.
DELIVERANCE. "Who redeems your life from destruction" (NKJV). From one point of view, deliverance is costly: we are "redeemed" FROM destruction. In the case of Israel's deliverance God says, "I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee" (Isa 43:3). Solomon said, "The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous" (Prov 21:18). Once God said to Israel, "Since thou wast precious in My sight, thou hast been honorable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life" (Isa 43:4). The full extent of this cannot be known, but it is to be believed. In the ultimate sense, Jesus Himself was "delivered up for us all" (Rom 8:32), that we not be destroyed.
TENDERNESS. "Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies" (NKJV). A sense of Divine acceptance can settle upon the soul that is reconciled to God. You can see that God has dealt tenderly with you, not breaking the bruised reed, or quenching the smoking flax (Matt 12:20). Jesus declared He is "meek and lowly in heart." His "yoke is easy," and His "burden is light" (Matt 11:29). He will not crush nor turn away those who come to Him (John 6:37). His mercies are tender, not allowing us to be consumed (Lam 3:22). That very "gentleness" is what makes us "great," causing us to "flourish in the courts of our God" (Psa 18:35; 92:13).
SATISFACTION. "Who satisfies your mouth with good things" (NKJV). Here is a benefit that is often underrated – satisfaction! Jesus spoke of this to the woman at the well when He said it was possible to "never thirst" (John 4:14). It is ever true, the Lord "satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness" – NKJV (Psa 107:9). If it was not for this wondrous benefit, life would become intolerable, and we would "faint in the way" – even while following Jesus (Matt 15:32). While those who live for this world experience "the satisfaction of the flesh" (Col 2:23), those who live by faith learn there is such a thing as "the satisfying of his soul" – NKJV (Prov 13:25).
RENEWAL. "So that your youth is renewed like the eagle" (NKJV). Renewal, or rejuvenation, is essential to spiritual life. In this world we experience trouble "on every side," being "perplexed," "persecuted," and even being "cast down" (2 Cor 4:8-9). Yet, none of these have proved to be permanent conditions. It remains true, "weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" (Psa 30:5). Renewal is what causes the morning to dawn upon the soul. While others are fainting all around, it is affirmed of the believer: "they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" (Isa 40:31).
Let every child of God be quick to recognize the remarkable and abundant Divine benefits that are experienced every day!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, open the eyes of my understanding to behold more of Your abundant daily benefits.