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—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:1-5
Most loving and present Lord Jesus, I begin this day purposing not to be like 90% of the lepers you healed in the parable of the 10 lepers who failed to give you thanks for your extraordinary kindness and over-the-top generosity. Though I’m growing forgetful and may one day even forget my own name, I pray I will never forget you or a single benefit that you so freely give me in the gospel. The greatest peace I have in life is knowing, irrespective of any change in my brain chemistry, you will never ever forget me. But here’s a few things I’m VERY aware of as this day begins—big gifts for a big sinner, that King David listed for me…
Jesus, I praise you for forgiving all my sins—past, present and future—sins of thought, word, and deed. This is staggering to ponder. I used to think you only forgive confessed sins, but now I realize I’m maybe aware of 4% of the ways I actually sin against you every day. Praise the Lord, O my soul for perfect and comprehensive once-and-for-all forgiveness! The other 96% have already been forgiven as well.
Jesus, I praise you for healing all my diseases—diseases in my body, heart and mind. Though I sometimes wish, whine, even demand, that you would completely heal me before you return to make all things new, nonetheless, I have this liberating hope—that the healing I’m already receiving in the gospel one Day will be brought to completion! Praise the Lord, O my soul for present, ongoing, and a secured complete healing!
Jesus, I praise you for redeeming my life from all pits—the pit of eternal separation from God, the pits others throw me into, the pits I naively fall into, and the pits I foolishly dig for myself! You’ve bought and brought me out of all pits into your embrace, by taking the ultimate “pit” of God’s judgment for me on the cross. Praise the Lord, O my soul for an all-pit redemption!
Jesus, I praise you for crowing me with your love and compassion! You have taken away all of my guilt and you have born all of my shame and you have replaced them with your unwavering love and compassion. My conscience is no longer under the law and condemnation, but under the gospel and freedom! Praise the Lord, O my soul for a coronation of mercy and grace!
Jesus, I praise you for being committed to satisfying my desires with good things. Lord, I praise you for the smile of my grandson, the kiss of my wife, the taste of dark chocolate, the rainbow you painted on the side of a trout, the encouragement from a friend, the sounds of great music… and on and on I could go numbering all the good things I take for granted, all of which come from your generous heart. Praise the Lord, O my soul for a God who takes your desires seriously and satisfies them in countless ways!
Jesus, may the unsearchable, innumerable and inexhaustible riches of the gospel renew me today with youth-like energy, today that I may soar life an eagle and live to the praise of your glorious grace!
