Psalm 103:1-2
“Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.”
Sunday morning as our church fellowship gathered, I asked a question that has been running through my mind for several days. Rather than being in the form of a direct question, it is posing a situation that demands a little imagination.
Suppose someone gifted you with a cash gift of $10,000. Try to think of what your reaction would be. What would be your attitude toward the one who gave you the money? Would you have a feeling of elation?
Now—while keeping that thought in mind—imagine what you reaction would be if you learned that the same person who had given you this wonderful gift had just given your neighbor $20,000. What would you feel toward the neighbor? What would you feel toward the one who had been so generous? Interesting isn’t it?
For the remainder of this week I would like to explore Psalm 103. We are instructed to exercise ultimate praise toward God. The Psalmist then mentions at least four things that we are to praise God for. Today I would like for us to consider the matter of forgiveness and healing. In verse 3 He reminds us that the Lord forgives all our sins and heals all of our diseases.
Anytime I consider the concept of God’s forgiveness I immediately think of 1 John 1:8-9: “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
That is a fantastic promise, but it also has a dire warning. Anytime we deny that we have sinned we are deceiving ourselves and deny the truth of God’s Word. Without an acknowledgement of our sins and confessing them before the Lord there can be no forgiveness. When we bow before the Lord and confess each and every transgression, He has promised to forgive and heal.
I wonder how many people are experiencing health problems because we have failed to forgive those who have offended us in some manner. In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul suggests that failing to confess sins has even led to death.
Years ago I read a fascinating book by Dr. S. I. McMilan called, None of These Diseases. As I recall he mentioned almost 100 diseases that can directly be related to an unforgiving spirit.
We need to forgive others and praise the Lord in the process. If we desire God to heal us from the inside out there is no other way other than doing what His Word commands. Are you praising the Lord for His forgiveness and for giving you the grace to forgive others?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
— Pastor Cecil