Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 19

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

EZK.48
JHN.18-19

2024 Thanksgiving Month Day 19：
Reminding Your Heart to Bless the Lord and Not Forget His Benefits (Psalm 103:1-13)
(Memorization Scripture 1-3)
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
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The Lord works righteousness
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 forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are 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 shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

Reflection:
Gratitude is a vital posture and practice for our lives as believers. However, it is also an area the enemy often seeks to obscure, attack, and undermine. Have you ever felt your heart grow indifferent, cold, or even burdened, losing sight of God’s grace and work in your life? In such moments, have you taken the step to speak to yourself and awaken a heart of thanksgiving? In today’s psalm, David begins by repeatedly speaking to his soul, reminding himself to rise up and bless the Lord, not to forget all His benefits! Through this intentional act of self-reminder, David focuses on counting God’s blessings: how He forgives all his sins, heals all his diseases, redeems his life from destruction, crowns him with steadfast love and mercy, and satisfies his desires with good things so that his strength is renewed like the eagle's. As he continues, the Holy Spirit leads David into an even deeper recognition of God's loving-kindness and compassion. This revelation causes his heart to overflow with gratitude and amazement, and his spirit is continually lifted and strengthened! In this moment, let us follow David’s example and speak to our own hearts: “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.” May our hearts be filled anew with thanksgiving and praise!