Hobart Herd Devotional – Psalms 103-104
This great Psalm is full of choruses that we use to bless, praise, adore and honor our Great God! Psalms 103:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, {bless} His holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits;(NAS) This worship chorus that we often sing is “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me bless His holy name.” Verse 2 reminds us of the reason why we must worship Him. All the benefits, all the things He has done for us throughout our lives. God’s first words to man, in Genesis is His spoken blessing. Throughout scripture He has continued to bless us with His promises, truths, forgiveness, and salvation. Our greatest response is to praise, adore and honor Him with our words and actions.
Some of the greatest words of encouragement to our hearts are that in His mercy and grace, God forgives us through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. We have a Lord who pardons, redeems, heals, satisfies, renews, and does it all with loving kindness compassion, and grace.(vs. 2-9) The greatest gift of all is His gift of forgiveness. He forgives like no other person and god of this world. Psalms 103:10-13, 10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. 13 Just as a father has compassion on {his} children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.(NAS) We struggle with forgiveness because we can’t remove what has happened from our hearts and minds, but when we seek God’s forgiveness He totally destroys the guilt and destruction of our hearts and minds and puts in its place His love, compassion, and care.
As in Psalms 102, the theme of the Lord’s everlasting lovingkindness, righteousness and sovereignty allows us to have faith and trust that He will make all things right in the end. Whatever we see or experience in this world of sin will be judged righteously, justly, and graciously if we turn to Him in worship, honor, adoration and praise.(vs. 17-19) We can fulfill what we were created for and enjoy His blessing on our lives returning the blessing, with adoration and glorification of our Great God and King!(vs. 20-22) Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name!
Father, thank You that Your heart has always been to bless us and receive the honor and glory that is due Your name. Thank You that Your forgiveness is so powerfully complete, that You remove my sin as far as the east is from the west, never to be remembered again as I turn to You in repentance for forgiveness. May everything that is in me bless Your holy name! In Jesus Name, Amen! Pastor Rob
Psalms 104
As I was doing devotions today, I was listening to some great music and the song, “How Great Thou Art” was played with orchestra and choir. I think when Carl Boberg wrote the words to this great hymn, he may have been reading this Psalm of great majesty and glory to our God. While Psalms 103 blesses the Lord for all the things He has done for us, Psalms 104 blesses the Lord for all He has created, and all He does to reveal Himself and receive glory from all He has created. He is clothed in the majesty of His creation, He rides the wind, He is everywhere and the sounds and sights of His creation reveal His greatness and awesome power. We live in one of the most beautiful places in God’s creation, and I never see the mountains, or the ocean but I have my breath taken by the beauty and wonder of it all. How can our heart no be full of blessings, praise and honor as we get a glimpse of our Great God?!(vs. 2-9)
Another picture of our Great Creator is the world of animals and birds. They all reveal and sing His glory. This time of year is a great time in Hobart. We wake up to the sound of the birds chirping, elk bugling, coyotes howling, geese honking and all the wonderful sounds that surround us. The smell of fresh cut hay, and the cows and horses, goats, chickens and pets we are able to see and enjoy. I love when my grandson comes in the door saying, grandpa, I saw the cows, I saw elk, I saw the goats, all on the way to our house. The thrill in his 3 yr. old voice and the wonder in his eyes remind me of the wonders of all that God has placed around me that I sometimes take for granted.
Maybe the key verse for me is: Psalms 104:24 O LORD, how many are Thy works! In wisdom Thou hast made them all; the earth is full of Thy possessions.(NAS) Even the great fish and mammals of the sea bring awe to our hearts. We have the Orca’s that visit us in the sound each year, the big whales that we sometimes see, the salmon runs that we witness every year as we try to fish and catch a few. All of this shows the wisdom, and greatness of God and all the “possessions” that He has given us to enjoy for pleasure and food. How many of us enjoy the great fresh seafood that we can catch, or purchase and eat? Psalms 104:27-31, 27 They all wait for Thee, to give them their food in due season. 28 Thou dost give to them, they gather {it} up; Thou dost open Thy hand, they are satisfied with good. 29 Thou dost hide Thy face, they are dismayed; Thou dost take away their spirit, they expire, and return to their dust. 30 Thou dost send forth Thy Spirit, they are created; and Thou dost renew the face of the ground. 31 Let the glory of the LORD endure forever; let the LORD be glad in His works(NAS)
My response to all of this is: Psalms 104:33 I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.(NAS) May my heart and voice sing the greatness of my God and the awesome creation that He has allowed me to enjoy and see. As long as I have breath, I will honor and praise His name.
Father, forgive me for taking for granted the greatness of all the creation You have put around me. I go about my life without being in awe of You and what You have provided for me to enjoy surrounding me. Make my heart more aware of You and Your presence in my life, and may I never forget to praise You with my voice and heart. In Jesus Name, Amen! Pastor Rob