Abounding in Steadfast Love
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Psalm 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 not all his benefits, 3. who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, 4. who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, 5. who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. 6. The Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed. 7. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. 8. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 9. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger for ever. 10. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor requite us according to our iniquities. 11. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; 12. as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. 13. As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear him. 14. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. 15. As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; 16. for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. 17. But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, 18. to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. 19. The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. 20. Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word! 21. Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers that do his will! 22. Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul!
I have been in kind of a funk the last week or so. This morning I realized part of what has been going on: I’m having a Lake Junaluska re-bound! (I spent a week in North Carolina with our Youth Group for a Youth-in-Missions week) Not really sure what that means, but I can remember so clearly how wonderful it was to be blanketed by God’s love, and to walk among other Christians who were longing, as I was, to see the face of God. It was overwhelming to experience the physical presence of the Holy Spirit on a rainy night when the power went out and all 500 believers were gathered together holding up glow sticks that had been distributed just moments before (a coincidence? I don’t think so!).
And then it was over. The “high” was sustained for about a week. Then reality hit me smack in the face! I made it through the second week, but struggled to keep my eyes fixed on God. But I stayed in scripture and prayed ardently for God to Bless my soul, and all that is within me. And guess what?! He did! He has! He will! And the blessing has always been there, will be there long after I am gone from this earth. Oh, yeah! For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west so far does he remove our transgressions from us. I don’t know about you, but most days I need a God capable of loving me that much!
I need a God who dwells from everlasting to everlasting. I don’t know about you, but I need a love that expansive. I need a Lord whose throne is established in heaven. I long for His mercy and justice. I need a God who knows my frame and remembers that we are dust. He remembers that I am one of his beloved creations; and that I am limited in my capacity to live up to the promises I make to him. But I know that he is unlimited! His promise stands throughout time and space. Beyond the universe, before the beginning of time, and into eternity.
I need God’s grace. I hunger for it. I long for it. And I praise my God for granting it to me, though I am undeserving and full of flaws. He sent his son to die for me. There is no greater love. And I bow down before my God, God of the trees and mountains; God of the skies and the seas; God of the universe, and God of man. I bow down and thank him for his faithfulness. And his mercy. And his grace.
I hope you spend your day rejoicing in God’s steadfast and everlasting love, knowing that though we are undeserving, God is faithful and full of grace.
Mary
