God Given Benefits |
|
Elder
Robert Willis (dec) |
We are all familiar with
“benefits” when it comes to such things as insurance,
employment perks, and retirement packages. There are
benefits to being married or for remaining single if one so
desires. The benefits are timely (temporal) and will not
last. However, there are many benefits for the Child of God
as we sojourn in this life.
The Holy Word of God, the
Bible, is full of admonition for us to “remember” and to
“forget not” when it comes to the “Benefits” which God
provides for His children. Surely, there are many things in
this sin cursed world which are worthy of casting from our
memory into a sea of forgetfulness. The greatest thing NOT
to be remembered is our sins which God will remember no
more. Micah 7:19 says, “he will have compassion upon us;
he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their
sins into the depths of the sea.” Isaiah 28:17 says,
“...for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.”
That is the ultimate “Benefit” of His love.
One of the most remembered
scriptures concerning our remembrance of God’s benefits is
found in Psalm 103:2 when David reminded us to, “Bless
the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:...”
Then, in Psalms 116:12 David asked this question,
“What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits
toward me?”
Take notice of the five
benefits listed in Psalm 103:3-5 and meditate upon them for
peace and comfort of knowing some of the things the Lord is
blessing us with. The first one is found in verse 3 where it
says the LORD, “forgiveth all thine iniquities”
(sins). Secondly, He “healeth all thy diseases.”
Whether it will be in this life, or when we are taken home
to Paradise, all of our diseases will be healed and never to
return again. The third benefit is in verse 4 as He
“redeemeth thy life from destruction.” We may be cast
down but God’s Children will never be destroyed. Number 4,
in the latter part of verse 4, states the Lord, “crowneth
thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;...” This
crown is not one that is corruptible, but rather it means we
are showered with His kindness and His mercies due to His
tender love for His children. Then in verse 5 we see the 5th
benefit mentioned. He, “satisfieth thy mouth with good
things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s."
We are made to rejoice in a Saviour’s love and to be
satisfied with the knowledge that Christ was a perfect
sacrifice and that we will never need another.
Stop! Take a look around you
and consider all the Lord has meant to you. As you meditate
on this, notice the words of David in Psalm 68:19,
“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits,
even the God of our salvation. Selah.” The Lord’s
blessings (benefits) are too numerous to number.
“Think About It” |