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.
Psalm 103:1-5 ESV
Psalm 103 is a Psalm of David. We do not know when it was written but I tend to agree with Charles Spurgeon who thinks, “We should attribute it to his later years when he had a higher sense of the preciousness of pardon, because a keener sense of sin, than in his younger days. His clear sense of the frailty of life indicates his weaker years, as also does the very fulness of his praiseful gratitude.”
In every circumstance we find ourselves in, how can we ever praise God enough?
Like David, especially as I get older, I have greater awareness of the frailty of life and of my past iniquities, and the many sins I have committed. Being aware of my sins, how can I not praise my Lord for sending his blessed son not to condemn me but to save me? How could I not rejoice at my good fortune through God’s amazing grace?
As I prepare to retire for the second time in my life, I am excited about the plans that the Lord has for me. I don’t yet know all the specifics but of this I am certain, the Lord has plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future.
I, also, don’t yet know all the plans which God has for his family at Faith UMC, but I am equally certain he has “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I rejoice that it is my dear friend and sister in Christ, Pastor Bennett who God is sending here to lead you on your next faithful step in your journey with Jesus Christ, who has promised, “and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen [Matthew 28:20b]
Let us praise God for all he has done for us and all he will do as we walk where he leads us. May it be so.
In His Love,
Pastor Peggy