READ: Psalms 103-104
Psalms
103 and 104 have much the same theme and focus. These psalms describe the
incredible character and deeds of God, as well as the intricate way every
aspect of our lives is touched, managed and ordered by Him.
Verse
2 of Psalm 103 says we are not to forget the benefits we receive from God. The
rest of the psalm is a long list of those benefits. One of the main benefits is
the forgiveness of all our sins. Not some. Not most. All. All our sins are
forgiven by the Lord.
Verses
9-12 also speak about this incredible forgiveness. His forgiveness means he
won’t be angry with us forever or hold a grudge. Many of us haven’t experienced
this kind of forgiveness in our human relationships and therefore struggle to
understand it in our relationship with God. He removes our sin so far from us
it is like they are continuously going in the opposite direction from what we
are going. Some of us may have never latched on to how far away the east from
the west really is. We may have pictured our sins going east around the globe
and eventually making their way back to us as we go around the globe in a
westerly direction. But that’s not what this means. Instead he sends our sin so
far away that if it travelled in a straight easterly line away from us into
eternity it would never ever reach the destination called East. Now, He doesn’t
really send our sin eastward, or us westward, He forgives it and removes it. Our
sin is as far away from us as the destination ‘East’ is from the destination ‘West’.
It is quite simply gone.
Chapter
104 begins by laying a foundation of God’s majesty, splendor and control over
all of Creation. He assigns places – like name cards at a banquet table – where
the rivers and streams need to be. He sets boundaries for the waters of the
earth and they obey! His control over all creation is endless, complete and
full of purpose. Because of His omnipotence and sovereignty there is nothing
we, as His created ones, can ever do for ourselves. It is only by God’s
direction. Yet even though He has this ultimate power He uses it to care for
His creation. He feeds the wild animals, birds and fish. He purposely makes
plants grow so we have food. He gave us cosmetics (oil) so we could make our
faces shine with health. Every single thing we have is provided by God.
His
faithfulness to animals and creation must speak to us of His love,
attentiveness and provision toward us. It is no wonder then why the Psalmist
ended this psalm by repeating, ‘Praise
the Lord, O my soul, Praise the Lord.”
JOURNALING AND
PRAYER
1. Ask the Lord if
there is a human relationship you have been or are currently in through which
you have learned to distrust forgiveness and ultimately to distrust God’s
forgiveness. If so, ask the Lord to give you a word, thought or picture of how
much better His forgiveness is than what you have experienced. If not, thank
Him for the solid examples of forgiveness you have experienced and ask Him to
give you a strategy of how to extend that kind of forgiveness to someone else
this week. Write down what He says and don’t forget to take action!
2. Ask God to help
you picture how far away destination ‘East’ is from destination ‘West’. Think
about a sin you have committed in the past that sometimes comes back to trouble
you and make you feel unworthy. With the picture of your east and west
destinations in mind, ask Him to give you a powerful and clear picture to help
you understand how thoroughly you have been forgiven. Take a few moments to
talk to the Lord about accepting His forgiveness and forgiving yourself as much
as He has forgiven you. Write down everything He shows and tells you!
3. Do you truly
recognize God as your provider? Ask the Lord to reveal any areas of your heart
that doubt God’s ability or desire to provide for you. Confess this as sin and
ask God for a word, thought or picture you can go back to in the years ahead to
confirm to your spirit that God will provide for you. Write down
what He says. Thank Him.
