By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
Psalms103:1-5 "Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits--who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." - NIV
Life is not a straight clear line where everything is certain, predictable and working as expeted. It moves in waves. One time it is up, another time it’s down. At some point everything is working out well, at another things seem to fall apart. To David it was the same. He had some of the worst experiences in life under king Saul. He also had high pleasant moments of victory upon victory. But he sums it by praising the Lord.
A key to praising the Lord at all times, regardless of the state of situations, is to remember what He has done for you. When one considers what great things He has done or He can do, all the ‘little’ present challenges cannot stand in comparison. It’s why Paul called his trials light, compared to the glory that lay ahead. Jesus too, in looking at the joy ahead, endured the extreme trials He underwent in the hands of His tormentors. It’s the devil’s intention to make us focus only on the intensity of the present, forgetting the many great things God has done before.
Remembering and thanking God for what he has done, counting your blessings and naming them, will surprise you what God has done before. It will encourage you to know He can do it again. The God Who forgave all your sins, heals all your diseases, redeemed your life, has compassion on you and renews you, will surely do anything else. Such understanding makes you face and climb any mountain praising God, knowing the challenge will not last.
Praise the Lord O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.
Shalom children of God.