Psalms 103:1-5 – “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; 3 Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases; 4 Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; 5 Who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.” NASB

My title was an attempt to capture your attention.  I ask you to join me in consideration of our text.  Consider what the Psalmist tells us about God.  This is written by a man of whom God said, “He is a man after My own heart.”  He is a man who majored in praise unto God, and long before anyone else understood, he knew the power of praise and worship in the individual life and the nation.

Consider the passage with me, if you will:

• He begins by telling us to “Bless” or “Praise” God with everything in our being.
• Next, he reminds us not to forget God’s “benefits.”
• Then, he lists those “benefits.”

1. Pardon for all our iniquities.
2. Healing for our diseases.
3. Redemption for the pit.
4. Crowned with lovingkindness and compassion.
5. Satisfied with good things all our lives.
6. Renews our youth like the eagle.

Those are incredible benefits God promises to those who serve Him! Wow!  Those six alone would be enough, but we know from reading the rest of Scripture that there are more.  Yet, David brings us face to face with the reality that for the “worshipper,” these benefits are abundant and readily realized.

I have enjoyed the first five for a long time and am beginning to see number six in my life in my seasoned years.  God is giving me renewed strength, and I am reminded of Caleb, who said, “I’m 85 (I’m not) and as strong now as I was 40 years ago both to go in and come out from war.” 

I like what the Bible said of Moses in Deuteronomy 34:7 – “Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eyes were not dim, nor his natural vigor diminished.” NKJV Hallelujah!  Just because there is snow on the roof does not mean there cannot be a fire in the furnace. 

Hear me, please: just because you grow old chronologically does not mean you must be put on the shelf.  In God, there is “refreshing” and “renewal” if we want it.  We can accept the world’s mindset and buy the lie that just because you reach a certain age, you must be put out to pasture, or we can accept what we see in Scripture and “keep on truckin’” for Jesus!

I choose the latter!  So, as you go through your day, regardless of your age, consider the benefits listed in this passage and allow the Holy Spirit to “rekindle” the Flame of the Fire of God and allow the Holy Spirit to “renew you.”  

Blessings as you go through your day!