Bless the Lord and Forget Not His Benefits

Summary

Opening with the prophet Hosea (sow righteousness, for it is time to seek the Lord), the preacher calls the church at the start of a new week to turn back to God. The heart of the message is Psalm 103, where David commands his own soul to bless the Lord and never forget a single one of His benefits.

He walks through the blessings David lists: God forgives all our sins, heals all our diseases, redeems our life from the grave, crowns us with mercy and loving-kindness, satisfies us with good things (and above all with the living word that feeds the soul), and renews our strength like the eagle's. Because the Lord Himself executes justice for the oppressed, we never need to avenge ourselves but can place every wrong into His righteous hands.

Drawing on testimony - the weeping woman who washed Jesus' feet, his own tears under the word as a young man, and his wife's conversion in Moscow - the preacher warns against the tragedy of Israel, who grew full and forgot God. Since every promise of God is Yes in Christ, the church is called to remember, give thanks, and bless His holy name.

Key Points

• A new week is a fresh call to turn back to God and seek Him.
• God forgives every sin when we come to Him in honest repentance.
• The Lord heals all our diseases, not only the ones we choose.
• He satisfies us with good things, and His word feeds the soul as bread cannot.
• God renews our strength like the eagle; ask Him to renew your faith and joy.
• Do not avenge yourself; leave every wrong to the righteous Judge.
• The deepest danger of abundance is forgetting the One who gave it.