The Holy Spirit led me to Psalm 103:1â5 this week, and I want to share it with youâspecifically from the Amplified Bible. It says:
âBless (affectionately, gratefully) praise the Lord, O my soul, and all that is [deepest] within me, bless His holy name. Bless (affectionately, gratefully) praise the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget one of all His benefits.â
Not one. Thatâs our jumping-off point.
Who forgives every one of your iniquities, Who heals each one of all your diseases, Who redeems your life from the pit, Who beautifies, dignifies, and crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercy, Who satisfies your mouth (your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation) with good, So that your youth is renewed like the eagleâsâstrong, overcoming, and soaring.
What a list. Heâs an âall or nothingâ kind of God. He doesnât just forgive some sins or heal a few diseases. He covers it all.
That Psalm came alive to me as I was reading through Exodus and Numbers this week. You can actually see God walking out each of those benefits with the Israelites.
In Exodus 12:35â36, God gave the Israelites favor with the Egyptians. They asked for gold, silver, and clothingâand got it. Thatâs divine wealth transfer.
In Exodus 14, Pharaoh's army pursued them, but God parted the sea, then drowned the entire Egyptian military. Not one remained. Egypt was a major powerâbut they never really recovered. God completely protected His people.
In the desert, God sent manna from heaven. It was just enough for each day. If they tried to store it up, it spoiled. Why? Because He wanted them to trust Him dailyânot hoard out of fear. When they got tired of manna, He sent birds for meat.
But they still complained.
In Numbers 21, they grumbled againâthis time calling the manna âcontemptible.â Thatâs when God sent fiery serpents. Many died, but when they repented, He gave them healing: a bronze serpent on a pole. Anyone who looked at it expectantly was healed. A foreshadowing of Christ on the cross.
Still, they forgot. Again.
Moses went up the mountain to meet with God, and when he took too long, the people made a golden calf from the very gold God had given them. Then they credited it with their deliverance. Seriously?
After all God didâthe protection, the food, the healingâthey gave His glory to a statue.
We may laugh at the Israelites, but letâs be honestâwe're not so different. Sometimes we value our comfort or convenience more than obedience. Sleep can be an idol. Money. Jobs. Even good thingsâlike our family or ministryâcan take Godâs place if weâre not careful.
An idol is anything we lift above God. Itâs what we turn to when we feel like God is taking too long. When we think we know better. When we say, âIâll just handle it myself.â
Sound familiar?
Psalm 103 is the key. When we remember His benefits, idols lose their grip. When we remind our soul of His goodnessâHis healing, provision, redemptionâwe can rest in His promises.
Hereâs how Moses prayed when things were falling apart:
âNow therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You [progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with You]⊠And the Lord said, âMy Presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.ââ âExodus 33:13â14 (AMP)
Even in the Old Testament, God promised His presence and rest.
Let this Psalm anchor your heart and guide your response when life feels uncertain.
âBless (affectionately, gratefully) praise the Lord, O my soul, and all that is deepest within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not one of all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercy, Who satisfies your desires with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagleâsâstrong, overcoming, and soaring.â