Scotty Smith
Psalm 103:1– Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—
Heavenly Father, King David’s words provide the perfect vehicle for us to engage in one of the most beautiful and effective forms of spiritual warfare—gratitude. The devil fuels our discontent, whining, envy; so giving of thanks sabotages one of his favorite forms of attack.
No matter our challenging circumstances, difficult stories, or fresh disappointments—you have been outrageously generous with us. Here are a few of your grace-gifts we want to remember today, and every day.
3 who forgives all your sins
Through the finished work of Jesus, you’ve forgiven all our sins—not just the 2% we’re aware of, the other 98% as well. Though we’ll be more like Jesus one Day, we’ll never be more forgiven, known, and loved than we are on this July Wednesday.
and heals all your diseases,
When it comes to healing, you’re not a slave to our timetable, Father. But, through the work of Jesus, you have secured perfect health for us forever—mind, body, and spirit. One Day, there will be no more disease, only delight; no more “gunk,” only glory; no more brokenness, only beauty; no more “common colds,” only extraordinary health!
4 who redeems your life from the pit
Father, you haven’t only redeemed us from the ultimate pits of death and judgment, you also rescue us from other kinds of pits. There are the pits we naively fall into, pits we get pushed into, and pits into which we foolishly jump.
And you come after us in the waterless pits of self-pity and self-righteousness; dark holes of bitterness and soul-sucking resentment; caverns of toxic shame and vain regrets; bottomless craters of comparison-based living, and the cold dungeon of graceless-living. Continue your pit-rescuing mission in our lives, and in the lives of those we love.
and crowns you with love and compassion,
Indeed, Father, in Jesus you have removed our grave-clothes of death and have dressed us in garments of your grace. We are no longer condemned for our sins, we are crowned with your compassion. We are righteous in Christ—beloved and delighted in, and desired and enjoyed. May we be done with a navel-gazing spirit of self-pity and ingratitude. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ wonderful and merciful name.
Posted at: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/scotty-smith/beauty-power-grateful-heart/