Never Forget the goodness of the Lord

This simple encouragement could change the way we view our day, our life and even how we view God.

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 not all His benefits:

3 Who forgives all your iniquities,

Who heals all your diseases,

4 Who redeems your life from destruction,

Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,

So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. – Psalm 103:1-5

Have you ever noticed how difficult it is to forget the few negative things which happen to us and how easily we can forget the many blessings God gives us daily? Ultimately, it is our choice to focus on those negatives, or on God’s goodness and the benefits He supplies daily. Whichever one we focus our attention on will help us forget the other.

We must not forget that God gives us all we have and the ability to do all we do. When we know this to be true, we begin to bless the lord at a soul level. Not just words, or an act of service, but from deep within we cannot stop blessing the lord with all that is within us. However, when we take our eyes off that fact, then we might be tempted to think we do it all in our own strength and by our own endeavour.

An example of how easy it is to forget the goodness of God can be found in the book of Judges.

Now Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died when he was one hundred and ten years old. 9 And they buried him within the border of his inheritance at Timnath Heres, in the mountains of Ephraim, on the north side of Mount Gaash. 10 When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done for Israel. – Judges 2:8-10.

God had brought the children of Israel out of captivity, kept them through the wilderness, feeding them and showing great miracles. Now in the promised land, they have an inheritance. Yet as soon as Joshua and his generation die, a whole new generation arises who do not even know the Lord and have forgotten all the miracles and great things God did for their people.

We must not let God or His goodness be forgotten. He forgives our iniquities and heals our diseases. He redeems us from the destruction we deserve and crowns us with loving kindness and tender mercies. God supplies all we need.

Let us never forget the goodness of our lord and saviour, but instead let us be those who say with the psalmist:

The Lord has done great things for us,

And we are glad. – Psalm 126:3