Devotion:
Read Psalm 103:1-14.
I just love this Psalm, especially this portion of it. It begins and ends in praise of God. In between are many reasons why we want to do that very thing, listing many “benefits” we have because we belong to this God. The highlight is the very first one: “who forgives all your sins.” That one is at least alluded to in other words and phrases throughout: “redeems your life”, “gracious”, “does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities” and “removed our transgressions from us.” We are also reminded that the Lord works on behalf of the oppressed, that he is “compassionate…..abounding in love.”
While it is mostly good news here, there is also a word of warning: God does get angry. Still, there is good news included even about that subject: God is “slow to anger” and when angry, it does not last forever.
We tend to think of grace as just a New Testament concept, but this is just one of several places in the Old Testament where we see and celebrate the grace of God. Verse 14 tells us that God “remembers that we are dust,” that we are part of this fallen world and in constant need of grace. Thankfully, God is always ready to offer that great gift. So we can sing with the Psalmist “Praise the Lord, my soul…”!
Personal Worship Option:
Hopefully, the song “Amazing Grace” never gets old for you. Sing or reflect on your favorite verse from those words written by John Newton way back in 1779. Here is mine:
Through many, dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come;
‘tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
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