Verse of the Day 6-18-22

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;
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.
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.

Psalm 103:1-22

This psalm expresses thanksgiving and praise to the Lord for the benefits and blessings he gives to those who accept his commands and promises and who maintain a faithful relationship with him. We must never forget God’s goodness to us or fail to thank him for blessings he generously gives us through the Holy Spirit.

Since the first humans rebelled against God’s instructions, the curse of sin, sickness and death has been upon the entire human race. But God has provided the means for victory over the consequences of this curse. This psalm lists God’s benefits for his people: forgiveness of sins, healing for diseases and the gifts of spiritual freedom and eternal life. Forgiveness is the first and most important gift we can receive from God because it restores our relationship with him and rescues us from spiritual destruction. Physical healing is also part of God’s complete salvation-a benefit available to those who have received forgiveness and a personal relationship with God.

God shows mercy to those who truly honor and respect him for his power, judgment and intolerance of evil. The “fear of God” is a liberating fear that motivates us to avoid evil, to obey God’s Word and live with a constant awareness of God’s mercy and nearness. According to this passage of Scripture, the blessings God gives to those who fear him are:

1. His mercy, love and forgiveness (vv. 11-12 and 17)
2. His fatherly compassion (vv.13-14)
3. His faithfulness and goodness to their families and descendants (v. 17)

Today’s Bible Readings:

1 Kings 19, Acts 12:1-23, Psalm 136:1-26 and Proverbs 17:14-15