Consider His Benefits - Part 2

Read:
Psalm 103:1-12

1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-

3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,

5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.

7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:

8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.

9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;

10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Think:
When you think about the Lord and all that He has done in your life, what is the result? Usually some expression of praise. Sometimes this is out loud and other times it is a quiet time by the fire place. God hears both.

When David reflected on all God had done for him he wrote a song. In this particular song David listed many of the benefits of the Lord in his life. I count no less than 14 benefits David enjoys because of the Lord in his life!

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Membership has its privileges .... can you name the company that coined the phrase? American Express. They sold to their customers the benefits that come from a partnership with them.

My family is in a new season due to my travel schedule. In my energy solutions role with Johnson Controls I travel a lot. In the past year I have racked up 130,000 Marriott points. How many is that? Well, it is enough points to spend a week in Aruba or Dublin for free! If I can figure out how to pay to get there ... we're gone!

My partnership with Marriott has its benefits. I get special attention at check-in and have choices / upgrades available to me. That feels good. I enjoy free bonus points for staying. I am remembered when I walk through the lobby (sometimes ...). I get early check-in and late check-out. I also get free travel.

What's the point? Membership has its benefits. My relationship with something bigger than me ... in this case the Marriott Corporation ... brings benefits.

David's relationship with Someone bigger than him ... in this case the God of the universe ... brings benefits. At least 14 of them! He enjoys the fullest life now and the best life later. His room is being prepared for him. He is known by name. He has the special attention of a King.

Your relationship with the God of Universe, Inc. brings benefits. Now some might push back here and think this is too Joel Olsteen sounding. I suggest we look again at the verses above! He satisfies you with good things! He is compassionate toward you! He forgives you! He does not give us what we deserve! Those are benefits! Olsteen did not make them up, God did!

Can you identify with some of these benefits? Will you identify one of them, maybe the one that seems most unbelievable, and talk with God about it?

Relationship with God , through the Lord Jesus Christ, has many benefits! Tell someone about it today!

DevoLink: Devotions to help you Link with God.