As The New Yr. Approaches If Times are Hard..Remember God’s Goodness!
In the busyness of life we often forget how good God is to us, His children. We are often guilty of taking for granted our good health, our wonderful children and grandchildren and even our material blessings. Sometimes we may even develop a “entitlement mentality” about life. We don’t mean to, it just happens because we have lived so long in a prosperous, trouble free world, surrounded by good friends and plenty to eat.
Sure, we have struggles, but compared to the rest of the world, we have an abundantly, blessed life. With that in mind, I want to share a passage of Scripture that has recently reminded me of the depth of God’s goodness. To many of you, this passage is a familiar one, you may have even quoted some of the verses contained in this chapter. I especially like the flow of this passage in the New Living Translation. I trust you will read it prayerfully and join me in rejoicing in God’s blessings.
A Psalm of David – Psalm 103 (New Living Translation)
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!
The lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly.
He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel.
The lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
He will not constantly accuse us,nor remain angry forever.
He does not punish us for all our sins;he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.
The lord is like a father to his children,tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
For he knows how weak we are;he remembers we are only dust.
Our days on earth are like grass;like wildflowers, we bloom and die.
The wind blows, and we are gone— as though we had never been here.
But the love of the lord remains forever with those who fear him.His salvation extends to the children’s
children of those who are faithful to his covenant,of those who obey his commandments!
The lord has made the heavens his throne;from there he rules over everything.
Praise the lord, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands.
Yes, praise the lord, you armies of angels who serve him and do his will!
Praise the lord, everything he has created,everything in all his kingdom. Let all that I am praise the lord.
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!
The lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly.
He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel.
The lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
He will not constantly accuse us,nor remain angry forever.
He does not punish us for all our sins;he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.
The lord is like a father to his children,tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
For he knows how weak we are;he remembers we are only dust.
Our days on earth are like grass;like wildflowers, we bloom and die.
The wind blows, and we are gone— as though we had never been here.
But the love of the lord remains forever with those who fear him.His salvation extends to the children’s
children of those who are faithful to his covenant,of those who obey his commandments!
The lord has made the heavens his throne;from there he rules over everything.
Praise the lord, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands.
Yes, praise the lord, you armies of angels who serve him and do his will!
Praise the lord, everything he has created,everything in all his kingdom. Let all that I am praise the lord.
