Let's Forfeit Forgetfulness & Give God Praise

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” Psalm 103:2 (KJV)

Usually the opening statement in this passage of Scripture speaks from a soul that is arrested with appreciation or gripped with a generous gratitude. Do you remember telling God that you will never forget what He has done for you? Better yet do you tell him on a consistent basis “I will never forget what you have done for me”? By the way, the practice of blessing the Lord and refusing to forget His favor in our lives purges our prejudices against God. These prejudices are produced by a heart heavy with pride, complacency, selfishness, discontentment, pessimism and a fountain of fleshly issues that pollute our perspective of God.

Are you aware that our humanity encourages the habit of forgetfulness? In other words, our flesh has a way of providing a home in our hearts and minds for forgetfulness.

God is well aware of our absent-mindedness so He provides in His word a plethora of passages to promote mentally-fresh memories, long-lasting loyalty and active appreciation for God.

“Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons” Deuteronomy 4:9 (KJV, emphasis added)

“Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day” Deuteronomy 8:11 (KJV, emphasis added)

As God’s children we should make a habit of holding mentally fresh recollections of God’s goodness and favor in our lives. This is why David calls our attention to “forget not all His benefits” in our opening text.

In today’s current context countless individuals are profoundly cognizant of those “benefits” connected with their employment. What sort of insurance do I have? What is my retirement package, etc.? But how often do we contemplate the “benefits” of our Good, Good Father?

In Psalms 103:3-5, five wonderful “benefits” are listed. How satisfying and sanctifying for the soul it to savor these blessings! They are voiced with the following verbs: forgives, heals, redeems, crowns, and satisfies. Jesus is indeed a Friend with fabulous benefits!

For the Glory of God,

PBKSR