God's Abundant Promise Part 4

Psalms 103:1-2 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.
 
This concludes our 4-part lessons on Psalm 103. Indeed, we praise God with all our soul for all his benefits that reveal our eternal relationship with him.
 
God Promises he is v 13 as a father who has compassion on his children. The LORD has compassion on those who fear him. Again, to fear the LORD is to worship God. Seek his face. Understand he is Father, Savior and Spirit. Know his gentle care to guide you into his right pathway. Understand his passion was to suffer the cross to die for your sins, so his resurrection power could come into your soul. He will be gracious to lead, encourage and sustain you. He understands how much you need him v 14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; 16 the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
   These words define the life of those who live apart from God. That’s why you can rejoice and be thankful that God Promises v 17 from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’S love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children - 18 with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. Yes, remember – know – God’s laws are not for restrictive bondage but for you to know all his benefits. Your salvation extends into the generations to follow. From eternity past to eternity future, God’s love gives life to those who love him.
   Always keep in mind God Promises he has v 19 stablished his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. His kingdom is not a small community, a populous city or a continent. His kingdom is heaven and earth and all that is in them. One day he will bind all evil into the pit for his pure rule over all. God now rules the true church, so the church will prepare the world for his rule. He removes the impure and exalts the holy. As we consider God’s eternal rule, we should follow David’s example to urge the heavenly host to praise God. V 20 Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. 21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. 22 Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise rings out for God from every corner of his universe. Does praise come from your soul?
 
David then concludes the psalm as he began. V 22 Praise the LORD, O my soul. He has expressed a loving, joyful and worshipful response to all the benefits God offers to his world. He extends the blessings from this life into God’s eternal reign. David was a king who understood a king’s authority. He experienced God’s authority to anoint him, empower him, judge him and forgive him. He knew his life was solely and securely in God’s holy hands. All that had happened to him was under God’s providence. He understood his sins were deep and his trials were great.
   Note and remember, David knew in his soul that his salvation was above all opposition. In his rejoicing, he called on the angels and the natural world to join him in praise of God’s salvation.
   Psalm 103 is a wonderful worship song that deserves your attention. Read it often and listen to the Spirit speak to you. May the psalm’s words be your words as you praise the LORD with all your soul, and you remember all God’s benefits.