I think Psalm 103 is one of my favorite Psalms. I am sure I could fill several pages on this special passage. God gave me one new thought as I read it in devotions 2 days ago. Verse 3 says: "...who forgives all our sins and heals all our diseases." Usually this verse is interpreted in terms of physical diseases but let's take a look at it in light of verse 2, which says: "Praise the Lord O my soul and forget not all his benefits...." One might argue that the psalmist who is addressing his soul is referring in verse 3 to healing "diseases of the soul." If this is true, what would diseases of the soul, look like? What comes to my mind are things like, anger, fear, pride, bitterness, greed, lust, etc. These diseases make us sick, perhaps even more than physical sickness. In fact, unchecked, several usually lead to physical sickness. But, how might God go about healing our soul diseases?
The rest of the Psalm helps us understand how God brings healing. He brings us salvation, love, compassion, justice for the oppressed, forgiveness, patience, grace and all manner of good things. When we open our hearts to receive these things we respond with thanksgiving and praise. The Lord is on his throne, and when we praise him, along with his angels and creation, we experience his healing. The Psalmist concludes: "Praise the Lord O my soul." Let's do it.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
What's All the Excitement About?
Psalm 100 is often read at Thanksgiving services. God is blessed by thankful hearts. This Psalm, however, says a lot more about our worship of God. It begins with shouts of joy and joyful songs that express overwhelming exuberance and excitement. We saw the exuberance of the Yankee fans as they watched their team win the World Series recently. Jumping, shouting, laughing, hugs, excitement of all types filled the stadium.
God loves it when we get excited about him. This Psalm tells us several reasons to get excited. The God of the universe, who made us, loves us; we are his sheep, his people. He is good (yes he is,) and he not only loves us now but his love is forever. His faithfulness is eternal. We will soon forget who won the World Series of 2009, but God’s goodness and love are continual. Let’s get excited today about that – a few hi 5s all around.
PS 100 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
God loves it when we get excited about him. This Psalm tells us several reasons to get excited. The God of the universe, who made us, loves us; we are his sheep, his people. He is good (yes he is,) and he not only loves us now but his love is forever. His faithfulness is eternal. We will soon forget who won the World Series of 2009, but God’s goodness and love are continual. Let’s get excited today about that – a few hi 5s all around.
PS 100 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
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