Tonight's Word 🌱

"Bless the Lord oh my soul, and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name."

-Psalm 103:1

This week, this particular song has been replaying in my mind. What a beautiful joy it is to find oneself in a state of gratitude for all of ones blessings, and praise and worship to our Creator and Redeemer. It lightens our hearts, and is infectious to those around us. It doesn't always come easily though, because as individuals, we go through several ups and downs in life, with regards to what may pre-occupy our thoughts and minds. Reflecting on God's goodness and His mercies and blessings in these times will then have to become an intentional exercise, one that re-directs our thoughts and heart to Him, acknowledging and refreshing ourselves with the reminder of the goodness of God through it all, generally and in our own personal lives. 

The psalmist David wrote a beautiful tribute to the Lord during one of his moments of reflection and appreciation. It is one that we can all relate to in one way or another in our human condition. Tonight, let's pull aside a while, and we are invited to read and meditate on this meaningful psalm. [see below]

A Psalm of David.
Psalm 103

Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;
He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. 

 

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust.

The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field;

The wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.

But from everlasting to everlasting, the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, 

and his righteousness with their children’s children—

with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.

The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.

Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.

Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.

Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the Lord, my soul!

Prayer:

Father in heaven, we remember your goodness and faithfulness at this time. We lose sight when life, worries, disappointments, struggles and challenges get in the way. Thank You for these reminders written in your Word, that demonstrate who you are, and just how much You have done, are doing, and will continue to do for us your children. Help us as we learn to rest in You, in our ever-capable Father, who can transform the trials into triumphs, the tests into testimonies, the messes into a message. Forgive us our sins, and continue to work on our hearts and minds, to reflect Your heavenly character. This we ask, in Jesus' name. Amen.

Be blessed by the following song, which has been coming back to my memory this week, and blessing my heart. 🎧🙏🏽🙂

10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) - Matt Redman