Reflections for Lent

Psalm 103 NRSV

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits— who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The LORD works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion for his children, so the LORD has compassion for those who fear him. For he knows how we were made; he remembers that we are dust. As for mortals, their days are like grass; they flourish like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, obedient to his spoken word. Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers who do his will. Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul.

The Benefits of God

When I was much younger, my dad paid for my car insurance. Although I did not pay for the insurance premiums, I was able to enjoy the benefits provided under the plan. If something happened, we just called the insurance company and put a claim on the policy, and they would take care of the costs. In Psalms 103: 3, a benefit for us is that God forgives all of our iniquities. According to Verse 12, God has removed our transgressions as far as the east is from the west. 

What a great benefit that God forgives us of our sins. When God forgives our transgressions, do you think it is just a benefit for us? In Isaiah 43:25 it says, "I, I am He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins." Why would it be to God's benefit to forgive our transgressions against Him? If your child does something wrong and you send them to their room for punishment, how long is it before you start missing them and are willing to forgive them? Our Heavenly Father also loves you and is willing to forgive you of your transgressions. So, He can have you back in His presence. 

Now, that is a benefit we need to remember and not forget. Verse 3 mentions another benefit: "Who heals all your diseases." You might say that healing may have happened in the past but that it is not for today. The Word of God says in Psalms 103:2&3, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases. "Why is it easier for us to believe that God will forgive us of our sins than it is to believe He can and will heal us of our diseases? The benefits for us of having our sins forgiven and our diseases healed are in the same verse of Psalms 103:3. 

In 2016, I saw the Lord heal a lady with chronic arthritis in her hands and fill her with the Holy Spirit at Belvedere UMC. The arthritis was so bad that it looked like ping pong balls had been cut in half and placed under each one of her knuckles on her right and left hand. And after prayer, we saw the arthritic knots disappear before our eyes. Wow! An instant miracle was performed on this lady by God on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2016, at Belvedere Methodist. In 2 Corinthians 1:20 it reads, "For all of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding "Yes" and through Christ "Amen." 

~Wayne Waldrop~ 

Dear Lord help me to develop my faith to believe Your promises You have promised us in Psalms 103.