Wednesday Words of Encouragement

We have selective memory at times, don't we?  When going through a difficult time or struggle, it's so easy to begin to grumble and complain and feel like the Lord has abandoned us.  We whine and wail and whimper.   We forget the blessings.  We forget the many ways we see His hand on our lives.  We forget the multitude of little things on a daily basis that show us God is in control.


Let’s take a look at the what, why and who of praise.

Psalm 103:1-13a

Praise the Lord, my soul;

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the Lord, my soul,

and forget not all his benefits—

who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord works righteousness

and justice for all the oppressed.

He made known his ways to Moses,

his deeds to the people of Israel:

The Lord is compassionate and gracious,

slow to anger, abounding in love.

He will not always accuse,

nor will he harbor his anger forever;

he does not treat us as our sins deserve

or repay us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his love for those who fear him;

as far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

As a father has compassion on his children,

so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

These verses answer the WHAT God does for us

1.         He forgives

2.         He heals

3.         He redeems us

4.         He is faithful and compassionate

5.         He is good

6.         He gives us strength

7.         He is righteous and just

8.         He shows us His work in our lives

9.         He is compassionate and gracious

10.         He is slow to anger and rich in love

11.         He doesn’t condemn us or stay angry

12.         He doesn’t treat us as we deserve

13.         He doesn’t repay our wrongdoing

There are so many reasons to be thankful! This Psalm lists the benefits but then it gives us the reason WHY we praise.

Psalm 103:13b-19 ~

For he knows how we are formed,

he remembers that we are dust.

The life of mortals is like grass,

they flourish like a flower of the field;

the wind blows over it and it is gone,

and its place remembers it no more.

But from everlasting to everlasting

the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,

and his righteousness with their children’s children—

with those who keep his covenant

and remember to obey his precepts.

The Lord has established his throne in heaven,

and his kingdom rules over all.

The Lord is compassionate and kind.  He knows our frailty.   He understands our weakness.  And He keeps sending us reminders of His love and care.

Verses 20-22 tell us WHO should praise Him.

Praise the Lord, you his angels,

you mighty ones who do his bidding,

who obey his word.

Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts,

you his servants who do his will.

Praise the Lord, all his works

everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the Lord, my soul.

David mentions angels, armies, servants and then for good measure, he says every single person should praise the Lord! I'm so thankful for the benefits that I have seen from following the Lord. Even the very breath in my lungs is a gift, and it's so easy to take so many of these things for granted.


What are some of the benefits of the Lord you have seen this week? Don't forget to spend some time thanking Him for those things.