Weekly devotional - Even in troubling times, Praise 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 iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." Psalm 103:1-5
To bless the Lord means to give Him praise, to recognize His goodness and sovereignty over our lives, by giving Him respect and honor, to kneel before Him.
We have so many reasons to give God praise even in the midst of where we are now. Even in the midst of where we are now, here are several divine assurances from these verses:
He heals our diseases – He covers every area of life where we have need, physical, emotional and spiritual. And we need that more than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sometimes our “disease” is a need to please. Sometimes our disease is our estrangement far away from God. Other times our disease is a physical illness or deep loss we’re facing. Yet, He is able to heal all.
He redeems our lives from the pit – He sets us apart for His purposes. He will never waste the painful times we experience. He lifts us out of dark places. He holds the power to make all things new. Nothing is impossible with Him. No one, no situation, is ever too far gone from His grasp of love and hope.
He forgives our sin – For all of those times when we’ve missed the mark, turned our back on Him, or gone our own way, He forgives. He graciously extends mercy for every sin, when we simply come to Him and confess our need.
He crowns us with love and mercy – He is faithful to reward us with his goodness. He gives constantly, continually, steadfastly, love and great mercy. We don’t deserve it, but He loves lavishly. He pours out His grace.
He satisfies our desires with good – He is good to us in all our days. Life may not always be fair, life may not always be good, but God is always just and good. He brings favor and blessing.
Dear Heavenly Father
Thank you for your goodness, thank you for your steadfast love and mercy. We recognize all that you have done for us, all that you continue to do now, and all that you will do in the future. Thank you that your plans for us are good so that we might mount up with wings like eagles. Thank you that you have redeemed our lives from the pit, you have forgiven our sin and healed all our disease. You are the restorer of the broken, the ultimate healer, and our redeemer. You are Father, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. You are faithful, you are true, you are powerful, and you are forever with us. You are holy. You are worthy, and we worship you this day, and always. We give you praise, honor and devotion. In the name of The Christ, Jesus, Amen.