GOD'S BENEFITS

PSALMS 103:1

A. "BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL, AND FORGET NOT ALL HIS BENEFITS"
  1. When a king and a prophet found it useful:
    1. To stir up his soul to consider the benefits from God
    2. To give expression of gratitude for all the benefits
  2. That ought to cause every one of us:
    1. To attempt to recall the multitude of God's benefits which we receive every day
    2. To give deep and lasting expression of heart-felt gratitude to God in us B. GOD'S BENEFITS
  3. The meaning of the word, 'Benefits'
    1. That which is helpful to us in life
    2. Material or spiritual blessings, even if not always seen or recognized by the beneficiary
    3. Any blessing from God which helps us to live happy or useful to God and man
  4. The Psalmist enumerated seven special benefits:
    1. "Who forgiveth all thine iniquities" - that is the very basis of man's hope in this world and in the world to come - take time and compare these scriptures: - Ps. 32:1-5; 51:1-3; 130:8; 2 Sam. 12:13; Is. 43:25; Matt. 9:1-6; Luke 7:47-48
    2. "Who healeth all thy diseases: - Ps. 30:2; 38:1-7; 41:3-8; 107:17-22; Jas. 5:14-17; Matt. 11:5-7. We could spend hours to enumerate the benefits of healing
    3. "Who redeemeth thy life from destruction" David could enumerate so many occasions when God snatched his soul from sudden destruction; and so could we, that time and space would not suffice - Ps. 34:22; 56:13; 71:23; Gen. 48:16; Job 33:19-30
    4. "Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness" Ps. 8:5; 21:3; 65:11; Jas. 1:12; I Pet. 5:4. Here is another blessing that ought to stir our sinful hearts to expressions of deep gratitude
    5. "Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things so that thy youth is renewed lie the eagles" Ps. 23:5; 63:5; 65:4; 104:28; 107:9; 115:15-16; Is. 40:31; Ho. 2:15; 2 Co. 4:16
    6. "The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed" Ps. 9:9; 10:14-18; 12:5; 72:4,12; 109:31; 146:7; Deut. 24:14-15; Job 27:13; Jer 7:6; Jas. 2:6; 5:1-6. That ought to give us great comfort to know that the Lord will deal with those who have dealt hurtfully with us.
    7. "The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy" Ps. 86:5,15; 130:7; 145:8; Ex. 34:6-7; Num. 14:18; Deut. 5:10; Ne. 9:17; Is. 63:1-12; Joel 2:13; Jon. 4:2; Ne. 1:3 C. THINK, DEAR FRIENDS, OF THE INNUMERABLE REASONS FOR STIRRING UP OUR MEMORY TO COUNT THE BENEFITS WE RECEIVE DAILY FROM OUR HEAVENLY FATHER
  5. We think of the bodily benefits:
    1. Food, water, air, heat, and untold other benefits of nature to keep us healthy and happy
    2. Physical protections against all manner of deadly dangers that lurk all about us
  6. Spiritual benefits which build in us character and usefulness - the Bible, the Holy Spirit, the fellowship of the saints
    1. Think of what the Bible means to us in a thousand ways - light, hope, peace, assurance, and in the end eternal life
    2. Think of what the Holy Spirit means to us--guidance, comfort, and enlightenment in the way of truth
    3. Think of what a privilege it is to fellowship with God's people; encouragement, love and Christian affections and many, many other benefits
  7. How sad it is:
    1. That we are so forgetful of the blessings that are showered daily upon our unworthy lives
    2. Ingratitude is one of the greatest sins a man can commit
    3. An yet, how easy it is to live day by day and not even mention the benefits God bestows upon us
    4. Surely here is food for thought--and not only that but for action
    5. Can you see why so many of the Psalms are continuous expressions of gratitude by the Psalmist
    6. Can we do less, with all the light the Lord has blessed us with
    7. May this message stir our hearts to attempt to count the benefits of God and may it cause us to bless the Lord with all that is within us, bless His holy name!


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