Monday
Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases; he redeems my life from the pit and crowns me with love and compassion. He satisfies my desires with good things, so that my youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel; the Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.
As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children – with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.
(Psalms 103:1-19, NIV)
This psalm by King David is a hymn of praise celebrating God’s deep compassion for his people. David summarized the Lord’s reign over Israel in these words: “The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed” (v. 6). In the following verses, this brief description is more fully explained as God’s compassionate concern for his people – that of a father for his children.
The first section of today’s verses wonderfully summarizes the personal benefits of a saving faith in God. Not only are the sins of the faithful forgiven, but physical healing is promised as well. Not only is escape from eternal judgment offered, but the desires of our heart will be satisfied “with good things” (v. 5). Physical and spiritual, temporal and eternal – God’s promises are holistic in character and affect all areas of our life. The promises of this psalm, which were repeated by the Prophet Isaiah, were realized in the ministry of Jesus. The “Prince of Peace” brought salvation and physical healing. He announced the inauguration of the Kingdom of God and authenticated its arrival by raising the dead, casting out demons, and healing the blind, sick and lame.
Peace with ourselves can only come when we put our hope in the Lord. He promises us eternal life. He offers a message of healing for both our spiritual and physical lives. Because of his deep compassion for us, we have hope. Without him, we are hopeless and will never find peace.
Prayer
Gracious and compassionate Lord, we praise you for your faithfulness to your people. As sinners we are grateful that you do not treat us as our sins deserve and that you remove our transgressions from us. We find much healing in your forgiveness. We receive so many benefits from you, Lord – help us to remember that reality when we face the struggles of our daily lives. Amen.