Dave’s Monday Blast – January 8, 2018
Even though most folks in many cultures around the world make resolutions at the beginning of a New Year, we are informed that only 8 percent keep them. A recent article I read on this topic suggested that instead of making resolutions that we are unlikely to keep, we should remember what God promises to provide for His children throughout the year (He always keeps His resolutions).
Psalms 103 was written by David, Israel’s great poet-king. It was probably composed toward the end of his life as he looked back over many years of challenges and blessings, trials and rewards. Many scholars believe that he wrote it to be used in leading his nation in worship. Thus, it is for all of God’s people, including you and me.
David begins, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!” (Psalm 103:1). “Bless” translates a Hebrew word meaning to kneel down as if before a king. That’s what David intends to do in his psalm. He wants to remember all that God has done for him and praise him for every blessing he’s ever received.
Hebrew poetry often used repetition, as David does here: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (v.2). Note how inclusive David is: he wants to remember “all” God’s many benefits to him across his long life.
Over the next several weeks I want to share five promises (benefits) discussed in this article. It is my sense that you will need at least one of them today!
Promise number one next week: God Forgives all your iniquity (v.3a) “Iniquity” in the Hebrew refers to guilt, depravity, perversity, the worst kinds of sins. And yet God “forgives all” of them. Although we will unpack this idea next week…remember that you INTENTIONALLY chose to serve a God who forgives you, why is this benefit/promise relevant to you today?
