Psalm 103:2-4
“Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.”
Five o’clock in the morning used to seem best suited for rolling over and catching a little more sleep. That is no longer the case. It has become my appointment with the Lord at the treadmill. I prop my 3×5 cards with scriptures on the front and read as I stride along. I have been gaining insights I have never seen before!
My mind was opened to the concept of “crowns” that I saw in Psalm 103:4. Here in the Amplified we see that God crowns us with, “love and compassion.” As I read these words over and over it suddenly dawned on me that the crown signifies those qualities and responsibilities that are designated. In other words we are to be God’s royal ambassadors of loving-kindness and tender mercy. Are we? If we are not, we need to be on our knees and asking God to teach us how.
I also saw another reference that seemed to fit. It is in James 1:12. Here is how the Amplified renders that verse: “Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive [the victor’s] crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him.” I almost came unglued when I saw the connection. Regardless of all of the trials we face in the world, we have a crown of life waiting for us. That means that we will live eternally with the Lord!
Loving-kindness and tender mercies flowing out from us here and an eternal victor’s crown of everlasting life prepared just for us. What more could we ask for?
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil (360) 570-0074
P.S. – You can find previous E-Votionals covering a variety of Scriptures and topics to help you in your walk with the Lord at www.Daily-E-Votional.com Please feel free to forward this E-Votional on to your family and friends.