RESPONSE TO REDEMPTION
Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise His holy name. Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things He does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!
Psalm 103:1-5 (NLT)
Have you ever heard of a gratitude journal?
Several years ago, I was introduced to this concept. There are many variations, but I'll share with you what I do. At the end of each day, I write down three things I'm thankful for in my journal. They don't have to be major milestone moments. It can be something as simple as I had a lovely lunch with a friend today. Or our friends came over to play board games and I won them all. You may dismiss that as silly. But from my perspective, I see the fingerprints of God. I didn't have a ton of friends growing up, so having one who would enjoy lunch with me was a blessing. Growing up, we were also relatively poor, so going out for a meal was rare. Having multiple people willing to spend time in my home—blessing of God.
Psalm 103 invites us to do something similar: to never forget the good things He does for me. The psalmist begins with a call to praise, urging his soul to remember the countless ways God has blessed him. God's benefits are not just material; they touch every aspect of our lives—He forgives our sins, heals our diseases, redeems us from spiritual death, and crowns us with love and compassion. His blessings are profound and transformative, renewing our strength like the eagle’s.
When life becomes difficult, it's easy to focus on what's wrong and overlook the many ways God has been faithful. But this psalm reminds us to pause and recount the blessings we have received. As we remember His benefits, our hearts are lifted in gratitude, and our faith is strengthened.
APPLICATION: Today, take a moment to reflect on the benefits God has bestowed upon you. Write down five specific blessings you've experienced recently. Then, take time to praise God for each one. If you're facing challenges, let this practice remind you of His faithfulness. Share these blessings with someone else who might need encouragement, and let the act of remembering fuel your praise and trust in God. Remember—thanksgiving is more than a holiday in November!
PRAYER: Father, Thank You for every blessing in my life. You're gracious to me in ways that I often fail to acknowledge. Help me always be mindful and praise You, my Creator and Sustainer. In Jesus' name, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?