Remember His Benefits

Introduction:

How often do we forget what the Lord has done for us, but have no problem remembering the wrongs done to us years ago!  In our text, Psalm 103:1-5, David calls upon his soul to remember all the benefits of the Lord.  “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 lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”  NKJV  The root word for “benefits” in Hebrew is the same as for the word “camel.”  Camels were necessary to carry travelers across the hot, barren desert.  Like camels, God’s benefits are able to carry us across the harsh, barren times.  David tells his soul to bless the Lord, to bless His holy name. The thought is similar to Psalm 104:1.  “Bless the Lord, O my soul!  O Lord my God, You are very great; You are clothed with honor and majesty,” NKJV One way we bless the Lord us by praising Him for all His benefits, to be grateful for each and every blessing.  (Psalm 103:22)  Psalm 116:12 emphasizes the same thought.  “What shall I render to the Lord For all His benefits toward me?” NKJV  So, what are some of these benefits from God?  David describes five in the next three verses.  (Psalm 103:3-5)

Body:

I. He Forgives Me As One Who Sins  (Psalm 103:3)

· “All iniquities” means from the Hebrew “bent and crooked.”

· Several phrases describe this forgiveness. 

o (Psalm 103:12)  “as far as the east is from the west”

o (Isaiah 38:17) “behind your back”

o (Isaiah 43:25) “blots out transgressions”

· God is willing to forgive all sin through Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 9:26, I John 1:7)  This forgiveness is conditioned upon our yielding to God’s terms of pardon.  (Hebrews 5:9) 

II. He Heals Me As Someone Who Is Sick (Psalm 103:3)

· The God who created the human body is able to mend His creation.  Our bodies are “fearfully and wonderfully made.”  (Psalm 139:14)  Example:  Our bodies have an immune system, antibodies, and white blood cells to heal us.

· Also, and more importantly, Jehovah can heal the sicknesses of the soul:  lust, hate, greed, jealousy, anger, fear, guilt.  The remedy is revealed in Psalm 107:17-21.  He sent His Word.  (Psalm 107:20)  “He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.”  NKJV

· One day we will be clothed with a new body. (Revelation 21:4, 22:2) 

III. He Redeems Me As A Slave (Psalm 103:4)

· We became slaves to sin.  (Romans 6:6, 12)  The terrible end is seen in Romans 6:16.

· Jesus paid the price for our redemption.  (I Peter 1:18-19)  He was the perfect, sinless sacrifice.

· We can be freed from the bondage of sin, the curse of sin, and the penalty of sin.  (Romans 6:7-8)

· We can access this benefit when we submit to the divine plan of pardon. 

IV. He Crowns Me As One Who Reigns (Psalm 103:4)

· Jehovah bestows upon His children benefits such as steadfast love and mercy.  (Psalm 103:11, 13-14)

· He crowns us with grace, compassion, and tender love.  (Lamentations 3:22-23)

· One day He will crown us with the crown of righteousness, the crown of life. 

V. He Satisfies Me As One Who Is In Need (Psalm 103:5)

· Jehovah gives us those things our soul needs the most, things that are good for us.  (Psalm 107:9)

· He restores our spiritual strength and vigor.  He makes us feel like soaring.  (Isaiah 40:31)

Conclusion:

It would do us all good to ponder the many benefits the Lord has given us.  

Bobby Stafford 

October 12, 2014