Posted by 90 Days of Prayer Day Thirty-Six
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”
There is power in the heartfelt praises of God’s people. Like rivers of living waters gushing from within him, David let’s loose with a torrent of God exalting praises! The first great commandment is to love God with all our heart mind soul and strength. Here David praises Him with all that is within him.
In all his praising he’s recounting all the benefits of having a covenant with this all powerful loving God. This is no ulterior motive, nor is it selfish to recount the benefits. How could it be, when we’re instructed to do so? (See Deuteronomy 6:12, Psalm 77:11)
Count Your Blessings
There’s great benefit to walking with God. Interesting to note is the word benefit used here. It’s the idea of getting what one deserves – like a reward. I thought, this is certainly a picture of God’s graciousness under the law. David counted his blessings and benefits.
- Forgiveness of sins
- Healing of diseases
- Redeemed from destruction
- Crowned with love and compassion
- To satisfied desires (satiated) with good things
- Renewed youthful strength (also implies renewing our first love of Him)
- Working righteousness and justice for the oppressed
All of us can easily spend an entire day specifically counting our blessings from any one category. Take one a day and spend your weeks remembering How good God is to you!
I still Meditate on the prayers and praises recorded in the Scriptures, that apply to my situation, until they resonate within me. I use these to give thanks and sing praises to God with. I’m always astounded at the measure of blessing that comes through this practice of Praising God with His Word. I encourage you to try it!
God Comes to Rest on Your Praises
Psalm 22:3 in the original is rendered “You are the Holy One enthroned (sitting) on the praises of Israel.” Imagine that, the manifest Presence of God overshadowing you as you’re Thanking and Praising Him. Psalm 100:4 tells us to “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”
Begin today to practice thanking and praising God with all your heart mind soul and strength like David did. Sing of His greatness. Let God’s faith rise up within you, as you recount all His benefits. Let the joy of the Lord fill you, experience the blessing of God’s manifest Presence sitting upon your praises, and Be Encouraged! -JSP
* Count your blessings image from: https://sunshinereflections.wordpress.com/2011/09/01/count-your-blessings-diminish-your-complaints/