Thanks

Thanks

Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

Psalm 103:2, NIV

A benefit is an advantage, an asset, or a blessing—something that makes my life better. I have numerous benefits in my life that fall into several categories.

I have benefited personally from growing up in a home where I was loved, taught the truth of Christ’s gospel, and blessed through the church where my family worshipped. I also received years of violin and piano lessons, a great education from kindergarten through college, and all the benefits of growing up in an affluent country.

Another kind of benefit I realize comes as a result of my husband’s job. Through Jim’s company, our family is blessed with several kinds of insurance, a 401(k) plan, and a few weeks of paid vacation time each year.

The most significant and long-lasting benefits I’ve received are described in Psalm 103. I’ve done nothing to deserve them, but I’ve received them because of Jesus’ death on the cross. Psalm 103 reminds me that God forgives, heals, ransoms me from death, surrounds me with love and tender mercies, and fills my life with good things. He is full of righteousness, justice, mercy, and compassion, and he’s slow to get angry. He doesn’t punish me as I deserve, and he removes my sins as far as the east is from the west. In spite of the fact that I am weak and finite, his love remains forever, and his salvation is available to my children and my children’s children.

The benefits of the first two categories give me some comforts now, but the benefits I receive through Christ will never end.

Gracious Father,

Thank you that you provide us with so many blessings and benefits. May we be quick to recognize them. Thank you most of all for sending Jesus to die on the cross. Amen.