My lovingkindness and my fortress, My high tower and my deliverer, My shield and the One in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me. Psalm 144:3.
Dear Heavenly Parent, Here we are again, looking to You for wisdom as we search Scripture to get a better understanding of Your Word. May Your Holy Spirit continue to lead us into “all truth”, as we seek to know You better that we may serve You in excellence! In the blessed name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Today is the last day, at least for now, that we will be meditating upon The Rock. This has been quite a journey, and we have not even skimmed the surface of the topic! The Good News is, that we can always come back and dig a little deeper!
As I thought about this quality of My Rock, almost immediately, Psalm 103, another one of my very special portions of Scripture, popped into my mind.
‘Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s (Psalm 103:1-5).
For years this Psalm has meant so much to me! However, in 1996, while I was in the Intensive Care Unit, as my doctor fought (though he may not have known it then), aided by the Great Physician, to keep me alive, it took on an extra special meaning. One of the pastors from the local district, where I was attending church in my native Republic of Panama, came into the room and read this Psalm. At the time I managed a smile, and thought to myself, “How does he know that this is one of my favorite psalms?” He may not have known it, but God did, and He knew that I needed the assurance of these precious words from Scripture at that time!
The psalmist encourages us not to forget all of God’s benefits! Benefits that are the direct result of His lovingkindness!
He forgives our iniquity: How can we ever thank God for sparing our lives from spiritual death! Not just forgiving our transgression, or our missing the mark, but our iniquities, when we willfully and consciously, sin against God! And if that was not enough, this word for forgiveness pronounced (saw-lakh) also carries the meaning of freedom from the guilt and freedom from the punishment that results from our sin!
He heals all our diseases: Heals our sicknesses and all that is grievous! Otherwise, how could we bear life with all the challenges and pain and disappointments, and frustrations, that result from just being alive!
He redeems our lives from destruction: The act of redeeming entails a buying back. We were all on the bidding block to be sold as slaves to the Adversary as a consequence of our obedience to him. But glory to God! Jesus came and bought us back with His life, the shedding of His blood! Then the hand of destruction was stayed when Jesus cried out: “It is Finished!” “The price has been paid, in full!” The second death, eternal separation from God, is no longer a threat! Glory to God!
He crowns us with lovingkindness and tender mercies: And then He covers us with compassion and tender affections. This feeling is compared to the warm and tender emotions a child experiences while in the womb!
He satisfies our mouth with good things: God desires only the best for His children. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10: 10). We will not only live forever. We will live as never before! And that eternal life begins here and now! No wonder we cannot even imagine the things that God has prepared for those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9)!
He renews our youth as the eagle. Eagles were known for their longevity. The life that God has promised to those who receive Him is not temporal but eternal!
When The Rock is your Lovingkindness your life will never be the same! Will you accept Him today? When you do, please write and let me know!
Blessings!