Thanksgiving For Benefits

Benefits

Psalm 103:1-5

Intro.

The Psalms are “songs”, we just don’t know the music

These Psalms of the early 100’s are particularly Psalms of prayer

and praise.

Great to read when you’re feeling down or depressed

Some talk to God, some talk about God

All of them lead us to praise and thanksgiving

This Psalm is about praising or “blessing the Lord”

To “bless” the Lord means to “kneel down in adoration,

praise, and thanksgiving.

— We praise Him with our whole heart

— Not just lip service

— Genuine heartfelt praise

— “Forget not his benefits”

— Remember all he has done for you.

— “benefits” treatments

I. He has forgiven our iniquities. Vs. 3

A. This means that God does not hold our sin between us

B. It is because of His grace and mercy. Vs. 8, 10

1. He is merciful (does not give us what we deserve)

a. Plenteous in mercy

b. His mercy is great. Vs. 22

b. It is does not run out. Vs. 17

2. He is Gracious (gives us what we do not deserve)

3. He does not “grapple” or wrestle with us about it. Vs. 9

C. He has removed our transgressions from us. Vs. 12

1. This was why Jesus came.

2. To pay for our sin,

3. It cannot be brought up again.

II. He heals our diseases.

A. Dis-eases

1. Not just sickness

2. Things that cause us not to be at ease

B. Sin is our greatest disease

C. The dis-ease of stress. Philippians 4:6-7

One of the names of Jesus give to us in the Old

Testament is “the Prince of Peace)

III. He redeems us from destruction

A. Literally from the destruction of hell or the pit

B. To redeem means to pay for something

C. Jesus paid for our salvation

1. By His blood

Col. 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:

2. Because of His redemption, we will not spend one day in

hell.

IV. He crowns us with loving kindness. Vs. 4

A. God draws us with His love.

Jer. 31:3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying,

Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore

with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

B. It literally means that He covers us with his love and grace.

C. We wear our crown like a banner.

Song 2:4b …his banner over me was love.

V. He satisfies us with good things. Vs. 5

A. In him I am “satisfied”

B. I have everything I need

1. Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.

2. Phil. 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need

according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

C. When you have the Lord, there is no need to go looking for

anything else.

D. He gives us the abundant life.

John 10:10 …I am come that they might have life, and that

they might have it more abundantly.

VI. He renews us like the eagle.

A. He gives us new life.

2Cor. 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new

creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are

become new.

B. The Spirit of God re-generates us

C. The Sprit of God empowers us

Is. 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings

as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Conclusion

Read this Psalm again this week — MARK IT in your Bible

Be reminded of “his benefits”

You will not find them anywhere else except in the Lord

Psa. 103:1 ¶ Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Psa. 103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits