How good God is to those who fear Him! God is good to all men beyond measure, but those who trust and seek the LORD can receive the full benefits as His dear children. All the gifts God graciously provides for men and beast on earth will end, for this world is passing away. But blessings from God are retained by those who receive the Gospel and inherit eternal life for Christ is our inheritance who abides with us and we with Him. All men are freely offered the blessings of God's kingdom, but only those who repent and trust in Him can receive and retain them all.
See what the psalmist wrote in Psalm 103:1-5: "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." When I worked in a union 10 years were required to be "vested," and this amount of time was required to receive a pension. We do not receive full benefits for "time served" as a child of God, but by virtue of God's grace received through the Gospel. God forgives those who repent, provides healing, redeems us from destruction, places His love and mercy upon us like a crown, satisfies us, and renews our strength. God is worthy of all praise and honour, and we ought to bless Him for the great benefits He has provided us.
Though we receive God's blessings because of His grace, there is a connection between our obedience and the fullness of blessing. Psalm 103:17-18 says this: "But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children's children, 18 to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them." Do you see the conditions held forth here? God is merciful to all, but the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting "on those who fear Him," on those "who remember His commandments to do them." We do not earn God's favour or blessings by our labours or sacrifices, but our obedience demonstrates faith which God richly rewards. It is those who remain faithful to His covenant of grace through faith in Christ which receive His daily mercies. If we love God we will heed His Word in obedience. His mercies are new every morning for great is His faithfulness, and we are covered by them when we walk uprightly.
Bless the LORD, O my soul! Let us remember how He has blessed us and be grateful and thankful always for the goodness He has bountifully lavished upon us all. How privileged are we to be receivers of the good things God has reserved for those who fear Him, keep His covenant, and obey Him!
See what the psalmist wrote in Psalm 103:1-5: "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." When I worked in a union 10 years were required to be "vested," and this amount of time was required to receive a pension. We do not receive full benefits for "time served" as a child of God, but by virtue of God's grace received through the Gospel. God forgives those who repent, provides healing, redeems us from destruction, places His love and mercy upon us like a crown, satisfies us, and renews our strength. God is worthy of all praise and honour, and we ought to bless Him for the great benefits He has provided us.
Though we receive God's blessings because of His grace, there is a connection between our obedience and the fullness of blessing. Psalm 103:17-18 says this: "But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children's children, 18 to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them." Do you see the conditions held forth here? God is merciful to all, but the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting "on those who fear Him," on those "who remember His commandments to do them." We do not earn God's favour or blessings by our labours or sacrifices, but our obedience demonstrates faith which God richly rewards. It is those who remain faithful to His covenant of grace through faith in Christ which receive His daily mercies. If we love God we will heed His Word in obedience. His mercies are new every morning for great is His faithfulness, and we are covered by them when we walk uprightly.
Bless the LORD, O my soul! Let us remember how He has blessed us and be grateful and thankful always for the goodness He has bountifully lavished upon us all. How privileged are we to be receivers of the good things God has reserved for those who fear Him, keep His covenant, and obey Him!
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