Thursday Psalms: High & Far!

Bless the Lord, O my soul!    So David begins today's Psalm, not because the Lord has blessed him with health, wealth and significance.  No, it's because the Lord forgives, heals, and redeems David, and us.  The Lord crowns us with His steadfast love and mercy!

PSALM 103:1-12

¹ Bless the Lord, O my soul,

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

² Bless the Lord, O my soul,

      and forget not all His benefits,

³ who forgives all your iniquity,

      who heals all your diseases,

⁴ who redeems your life from the pit,

      who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

⁵ who satisfies you with good

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

⁶ The Lord works righteousness

      and justice for all who are oppressed.

⁷ He made known His ways to Moses,

      His acts to the people of Israel.

⁸ The Lord is merciful and gracious,

      slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

⁹ He will not always chide,

      nor will He keep His anger forever.

¹⁰ He does not deal with us according to our sins,

      nor repay us according to our iniquities.

¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

      so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear him;

¹² as far as the east is from the west,

      so far does He remove our transgressions from us. 

Notice how personal David makes God's promises in verse 8-10.  Read these words & phrases slowly, pausing and praying over each one.  The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 

This is your life as a beloved child of God!  The Lord will not always chide [scold or rebuke], nor will He keep His anger forever.  God took out His anger for your sins on Jesus, punishing Jesus in your place!  And, thank God, that He does not deal with us like we deserve!

If you're like me, you hold onto things, often foolishly.  A walk through my garage or basement would prove this.  Unfortunately, we often hold onto our sins and the guilt they produce.  Who could love me, if they really knew my sins?  Verses 11 & 12 proclaim really good news to you and me!  God's love for you is so great and steadfast, it is FAR greater than ANY of your sins or failures!   Remember Romans 5:8?  "...but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  When Jesus died on Calvary's cross, He took your punishment and removed your sins from you, as far as the east is from the west!  That is the BEST NEWS you will ever hear!

Don't hold onto your sins; God certainly does not!!!

Peace in Christ,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188

mobile:  248.881.7627

     We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  

        Sharing God’s Love & Mercy with Each Other & the World.

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Soli Deo Gloria

“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your Word." Psalm 119:114