SILENT WONDER
Praise for the LORD’s Mercies – Psalm 103:1-5
Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
This psalm teaches us adoration. Adoration is not thanksgiving; it is silent wonder. It is formed in us by the Holy Spirit and it is very sanctifying when He gives us moments of nearness to Himself. This psalm is a call to praise “His Holy Name.” We are called to praise Him because:
1. He forgives all our iniquities. Our first true acquaintance with God is when He pardons us. He does not leave a single sin resting on the conscience; the blood that cleanses one sin cleanses all. For our sins are linked together, one great awful chain around our soul. God takes hold of the first ling and so cases the whole chain “into the depths of the sea.”
2. He heals all our diseases. I like to think of the palsied man brought by his four friends to Jesus. Jesus looking on him and saying, “Your sins are forgiven you.” Then a few minutes later, “Rise, take your bed and walk.” When God takes away our sins, He does not forget our bodily trouble. He may not heal us completely, but He takes the sting out of the disease and after pardon, He gives healing of the soul’s diseases.
3. He redeems our life from destruction. Every day, we escape dangers that we are not aware of. If we but saw the snares Satan lays for us spiritually, how we would adore the Lord who enables us to escape them all! How often the devil tries to make us unwatchful or gives us false peace, God is watching over us. He redeems our spiritual life from these spiritual injuries.
4. He crowns us with loving-kindness. Look at the comforts and spiritual mercies of your life. “Bless the Lord, O my Soul!” Is He not satisfying your mouth with good things? Faith has a good memory; unbelief forgets. Let us ask the Lord to give us better memories for all His benefits that we may fix our minds on His grace, in spite of all that may happen to us.
Pastor Lynette
