May 14, 2022 - Psalms 101-104

Psalm 103! David blesses the Lord and recalls his benefits, the greatest of all being that God has forgiven all his iniquity! “He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us" (103:10-13).

I tell this story about Donna and one of her international friends who had struggled with some wrongdoing. Her religious mentor had instructed her, for absolution, to write the name of a particular deity from her religion over and over, which she did. She explained to Donna, however, that she sensed no real resolution to her situation, and Donna shared the gospel with her. Our sin problem is answered only by the gospel and in Christ, but it IS answered there! Our sins are removed from us and we are given the righteousness of Christ. Bless the Lord, indeed!

O bless the Lord, my soul!

His grace to thee proclaim!

And all that is within me join

To bless his holy name!

He clothes us with his love;

Upholds us with his truth;

He heals all our infirmities

And ransoms us from death. –James Montgomery (1819)