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Psalm 103 is a psalm of thanksgiving. In these verses, I am reminded of God’s Character and Actions to be thankful for: the forgiveness of my sins, redeeming my life out of destructiveness, His Lovingkindness, and Tender Mercies that are new every morning.
However, I am also reminded of my tendency to forget all His Benefits. A few weeks ago, the lesson at Kids’ Club came from Luke 17, the healing of the 10 lepers. The one thing I wanted the kids to learn from the lesson was to be the person who says, “Thank You, God”. It is such a simple concept, yet in Luke, they were all healed. But they forgot to bless the Lord, and only one person thanked Him. I, too, can forget to truly “Bless the Lord” from within.
We currently have a two-year-old foster child, and when she spontaneously says “dank you” with a huge grin, I melt. Her gratitude evokes pure joy in me. I wonder if this is why the psalmist is reminding us to bless the Lord. God does not need anything, He is complete. However, He deserves our action and attitude of “blessing the Lord, oh my soul and all that is within me bless His Holy Name”.
“Soul” comes from the Hebrew word “nephesh”, meaning a living being. In Greek, “soul” comes from “psuche” (breath–God-breathing) and is the root of the English words “psyche” and “psychology.” In both languages, it indicates the vital breath of life. My soul, therefore, is the true self, the depths of my being, the “who I am”, the very heart of which I am made, my emotions and desires. It speaks of everything within me. The “who I am” praises God’s Holy Name and says “thank You” daily.
Today, let’s pause and be thankful from our inmost being and give spontaneous thank-yous to the Lord throughout our day.
Prayer:
Lord, today, instead of giving You my list of needs and wants, I want to pause and thank You from my innermost being, my soul. I am deeply grateful that You have redeemed my life, that Your Steadfast Love and Mercies are new every morning, and that You choose to satisfy us with good. I bless You, Lord, with all I am. Thank You for renewing me.
“Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!”
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4 Responses
The two acronyms I know for prayer are CATS (confession, adoration, thanksgiving, and supplication), and ACTS (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, ans supplication) depending on what order feels right. A great verse on prayer, Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests before God.” Thanksgiving is a central part of prayer. Thank you Lord for another day to live, and breathe and enjoy your Creation.
Thank you Father for your grace and mercy. Thank you for a new life with a purpose. Thank you for using the mess that was my life and using it for a message to plant and nourish you in the lives of lost souls. Thank you for the work you have done in me and the work you will do in the future. Thank you for the rain beating on the window and the home you have given me. Thank you for reconciling me with others. The list could go on and on. I will always be thankful that the tragedy of my nephews suicide brought me to Eagleville and to know Jesus in an intimate way and accepting me into this church family that grows me in Godly ways. Have a blessed day❤️🙏😇
I am thankful for God’s amazing grace and tender mercies. I thank God for everyday I wake up in my right mind. I thank Him for my family and friends. I am so thankful for the love God showers upon me that I can share with those around me. Hallelujah!
I am thankful for so many things that I couldn’t begin to list them all. I am most thankful for Jesus Taking my place on the cross and for every day I wake up and get the opportunity to serve him even in some simple way. Thank you, Jesus for walking with me each day you grant me.