Psalm 103:2, Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.”
I have a gift box on our mantel that contains written answers to prayers I have recorded on 3 X 5 cards that God has answered. I just added another card to the box this past week, not wanting to forget the good things God has done for me. The purpose is to have reminders of past blessings of answers to prayers God has provided, so I don’t forget them whenever I am tempted to be discouraged or distraught as life happens. When I feel like nothing is going right, I open this box and read the cards of past and present blessings; therefore, God has more to offer me in the future as well. Psalm 103 is a psalm of praise to God, written by David, describing God’s great love for us and what God is really like.
David lists reasons in Psalm 103, to praise God because of his repentance and received forgiveness. Which ones would you identify with the most?
- Forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. Verse 3.
- Redeems us from death. Verse 4.
- Crowns us with love and tender mercies. Verse 4.
- Fills our life with good things. Verse 5.
- Gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly. Verse 6.
- Merciful and gracious. Verse 8.
- Compassionate and merciful. Verse 8.
- Slow to anger and filled with unfailing love. Verse 8.
- He does not punish us for all our sins, does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. Verse 10.
- Steadfast love – unfailing love. Verse 11.
- Removes our sins as far as the East is from the West. Verse 12.
- He knows how weak we are because He knows we were formed from dust. Verse 14.
- The steadfast love of the LORD remains forever. Verse 17 (2nd statement of this of the character of God).
Psalm 11:4-5, is another verse that is good to remember when discouraged, which says, “But the LORD is in his holy Temple; the LORD still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth. The LORD examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence.” We have a lot of violence throughout the world today, but God sees and examines it all. Their day of punishment is coming because God has said it so. God sees it all and examines it all.
When you feel distraught and discouraged, take a break and read over the list in Psalm 103 of what to praise God for and read it out loud to yourself. May you then say, “The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.” Psalm 23:1 NLT. Yes, never forget the good things God has done for you. God sees it all and knows you better than you know yourself. Bless and praise his holy name! Psalm 103:1.
Listen to Leanna Crawford – Every Day Here. Music Video.