Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103:1-5 ESV)
A young minister was about to deliver his first sermon, and asked a retired minister-friend for advice on how to capture the congregation's attention. "Start with an opening line that's certain to grab them," the older man said. "For example: 'Some of the best years of my life were spent in the arms of a woman who was not my wife.'" He smiled at the younger man's shocked expression before adding, "She was my mother." The next Sunday the young preacher nervously clutched the pulpit. Finally he said, "Some of the best years of my life were spent in the arms of a woman." He was pleased at the instant reaction—then became panic-stricken. "But for the life of me, I can't remember who she was!"
Have you ever forgot something really important? I know I have - just ask my wife. I can't find my keys half of the time.
In this passage - we are encouraged to "forget not" what God has done for you. In fact, in Deuteronomy 8 - to forget God is equated with going after other gods, or ignoring His commands. To forget God is to live in fear, to doubt His goodness. If we are to avoid forgetfulness, remembering to praise is important. What does that praise look like? What should we never forget? In verses 3-5 we see three particular things that we should not forget.
THREE THINGS WE SHOULD NEVER FORGET
1. Don't Forget That God Has Forgiven Your Sins - v.3
Who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, (Psalm 103:3 ESV)
This is foundational to all the rest. Before we discuss anything else God has done in our lives, we must consider that the barrier between God and us due to sin is completely removed. The trouble is that when we forget forgiveness, praise will never be uttered. There can be no joy, no worship, and no excitement about life unless we know that that which separates us from God is once and finally removed. There is nothing more debilitating than guilt, and nothing more deadly than shame.
What does forgiveness mean?
The Hebrew word salah is only ever used of God’s pardoning the sinner and restoring the ruined relationship, and never of people forgiving each other. We understand forgiveness only by a poor analogy, for when I forgive, I merely decide to no longer hold another person’s offense against them. When God forgives, He alone is able to permanently change the person’s status.
When you or I forgive, it is for the moment, but God’s forgiveness does not fluctuate from bitterness to forgiveness and back to bitterness.
What is the extent God’s forgiveness of us?
The word describing the extent is simple but powerful: all. It is not that God forgives certain sins but not others, some sins but not all, or sins before coming to Christ but not after.
2- Don't Forget That God Has Healed You - v.3
Who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, (Psalm 103:3 ESV)
We must see the relationship between disease and sin, forgiveness and wholeness. Remember, disease is a product of sin: not individual sin, but the sin from our forefather, Adam. The Fall meant death and dying are a part of life. But the second Adam, Jesus Christ, changed all that. So, should we expect healing? Yes, in Christ all our diseases are healed – in the resurrection.
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. (1 Peter 2:24 ESV)
He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. (Psalm 107:20 ESV)
3. Don't Forget The Price God Has Paid For You
Who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, (Psalm 103:4 ESV)
With the first benefit of sins forgiven, and of our lives being made whole, we can have the confidence that our status has changed, and that God’s working in our life is to preserve us, not destroy us. God has reached down, and pulled us out of the pit, out of the mouth of destruction. This comes at a cost; there is a price paid as we are purchased. Forgiveness for us is free, but it is never cheap.
The word redeem points to a rich picture in the Old Testament of the kinsmen redeemer, one who would ensure the safety of a family member, and who would purchase their freedom from slavery. For God to pull you out of the clutches of hell, God descended to earth, to suffer and die.
God paid for our sins once and for all!
THE RESULT OF NOT FORGETTING
If you are able to remember the above three things - notice what the result will be in your life. It is found in v.5...
Who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103:5 ESV)
In Christ we have all the satisfaction we need. If we forget anything above, we are left with discontented and disgruntled lives.
The word "satisfy" here describes the response to a delicious meal. Think back to after a fine Thanksgiving feast when the turkey is no longer stuffed but you are. That sense of belt loosening, couch potato napping satisfaction – what God gives us is an infinitely greater contentment. Rather than a promise of getting all you want, this is a promise that what God gives is good.
Are you satisfied in God today?
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