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Devotional Guide
More Benefits from God
Psalm 103:4 - 9, 17 - 22
Monday July 21
Psalm 103:4; Psalm 9:13; Psalm 68:20; Daniel 6:20 - 22; Romans 6:23
The first part of Psalm 103:4 reminds us if another benefit from God: “Who redeemeth thy life from destruction.” (Psalm 9:13; Psalm 68:20) God redeems our life from destruction in two ways:1. He provides “escapes from death” (Psalm 68:20, Daniel 6:20 - 22) until such time as our work on earth is done, and we have the privilege of dying for Christ.2. He saves us from eternal death, which is separation from God, the wages of sin, through the gift of eternal life.
Think About It: How have I experienced “escapes from death” as a benefit from God? How does one receive the gift of eternal life from God?
Prayer: Praise God for “escapes from death,” especially for providing the way for me to escape from eternal destruction.
Tuesday July 22
Psalm 103:4; Ephesians 2:1 - 10
The second part of Psalm 103:4 presents a very comforting benefit from God: “Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies.” The word translated “lovingkindness” is chesed, is alternatively translated “mercy,” “steadfast love,” “compassion,” and “goodness.” The Septuagint, the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew scripture, translates chesed into eleos, “mercy,” and the latin translation is misericordia. The Hebrew word translated “tender mercies” is racham, meaning to love deeply, to have compassion, to have tender affection. To be “crowned” is symbolic in the Old Testament of recognition and reward.
Think About It: Read Ephesians 2:1 - 10. What was my natural condition, apart from Christ? What is my standing before God now, in Christ? How have I experienced God’s lovingkindness and tender mercies?
Prayer: Praise God for His lovingkindness and tender mercy.
Wednesday Jul 23
Psalm 103:5; Isaiah 40:31; Psalm 81:10; John 6:53 - 56
Another benefit from God is found in Psalm 103:5– “Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things so that thy youth is renewed like the eagles.” The Aberdeen Bestiary, a medieval commentary, says of this verse “It is usually said of the eagle that, when it suffers from old age, its beak grows hooked so that it cannot eat but grows weak from under-nourishment. When it comes upon a rock, it sharpens its beak, and taking food once more, regains its youth. The rock is Christ, the eagle, a righteous man . . .” The imagery of the renewed eagle is also used in Isaiah 40:31. These two passages are not ornithology; they use the eagle and its renewal as a literary device. In Psalm 81:10 the Lord says “Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it,” says the Lord to His people. We are to partake of Christ and so be strengthened in this life to eternal life.
Think About It: How does one go about partaking of Christ? How have I experienced renewal and refreshment in my life through my walk with Christ?
Prayer: Thank God for the perpetual renewal that is mine in Christ.
Thursday July 24
Psalm 103:6; Job 19:25 - 27; Deuteronomy 24:19 - 21; Proverbs 16:4
Another benefit from God is found in Psalm 103:6– “The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.” God sees the oppression of His beloved children and He will provide justice for them.
Think About It: How would I answer someone who doubts God or accuses Him of injustice, based on the existence of injustice in the world? What is my personal responsibility toward the powerless and oppressed?
Prayer: For God to vindicate the powerless and oppressed.
Friday July25
Psalm 103:7; Psalm 19:1, 7; Romans 1:16 - 17; John 14:9
The benefit from God alluded to in Psalm 103:7 -- “He hath made known His ways unto Moses, His acts unto the children of Israel” – is the blessing of revelation.
Think About It: According to the Scripture passages for today, what are some of the ways that God has revealed Himself to us? What do we know about God, and how do we know what we know? How have I experienced God’s revelation of Himself?
Prayer: Praise God that He has revealed Himself through Christ.
Saturday July 26
Psalm 103:8, 9. 17; Exodus 34:6; Hebrews 12:5 - 13; Psalm 30:5
Another benefit from God is found in Psalm 103:8, 9, 17 “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger . . .He will not keep His anger forever. . .” These verses repeat the benefit of God’s mercy, but add to this blessing: deals with us very patiently and with great kindness.
Think About It: What is the purpose of the Lord’s discipline? Is disciplien ever pleasant? What results from God’s discipline?
Prayer: Thank God that “joy comes in the morning.”
Sunday July 27
Psalm 103:19; Revelation 11:15, 19:6; Exodus 15:18; Psalm 146:10
The benefit proclaimed in Psalm 103:19 is God’s sovereignty. This is one of the eternal attributes of God for which the saints and angels praise Him in heaven.
Think About It: Why is the sovereignty of God a “benefit” for which I am called to bless God? Why is the doctrine of God’s sovereignty so important? Do I recognize God’s sovereignty in my life?
Prayer: Praise God for His Sovereignty; praise Jesus that He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.