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, who forgives all your iniquity… –Psalms 103:1-3
Life has many ways of getting us down on our knees in despair, as we look around and find that nothing seems to be, as it ought to be. On the contrary, life also has amazing surprises for us, which cause us to get down on our knees and thank God. Thankfulness is not necessarily, most people’s cup of tea! Whereas many would talk big on appreciating things, both big and small, very few, go on and actualize this conversation. One of the greatest ways of acknowledging and depending on God’s omniscience in our daily walk, whether in pastures green or in the valley of the shadow of death, is to forget not his benefits! David looked back and realized that God had done so much for him, way above the troubles he was facing at times. His heart was overwhelmed to the point of blessing the Lord for all his benefits- and they are many. Forgiveness was the first in David’s list of the many benefits of knowing God in Psalm 103!
David is the man who lusted after Uriah’s wife Bathsheba, and eventually slept with her. Then, he ordered for Uriah to be brought from the battlefield where he was fighting to tempt him to sleep with wife. Uriah didn’t because it was wrong for him to enjoy pleasurable things while his brothers were out to war dying. Determined to cover his sin, David goes ahead and orchestrates his murder. Why should someone like this continue being ok in the eyes of God? How could it be that he should gain? It can only be a miracle of grace, the forgiveness of sins. Jesus took the wrath of God for the sins of David on the cross. A benefit of God!
During this season of Easter, we have emphasis on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This act of kindness should not be an annual celebration moment for earthlings! It has to have something deeper than a celebration. It ought to bring to us the reality of the benefit of forgiveness of all our iniquity. Jesus dies to defeat the works of darkness and bring light into a dark, dying world. In Christ, like David, we can have all our sins forgiven. That is worth celebrating. That is without a doubt a benefit of God.
Forgiveness is from God
What is the greatest evil you have ever done? Is it something you could turn and share to any random person? For most of us, it is a no. David violated three of the ten commandments at a go. He coveted someones wife, he committed murder, and he committed adultery. However, his sins were forgiven. Are you at a place where you think that what you have done is beyond cure? Well, rejoice in the truth in Christ, God has forgiven all our iniquity. Not one of them remains without payment. Jesus gave up his Spirit with these redeeming words- it is finished! The payment for your sins is finished.
David would later write in Psalm 32:1- 2, “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity…” We need to realize that this is a true blessing and benefit for any believer. God has forgiven us in Christ. He covers our sin and will not hold it against us in the future. Consider Isa 43:25 which says, “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.”
Many believers today for this benefit of being in Christ- forgiveness of sin. People go for emotionalism and positive thinking, name and claim it kind of Gospel. The get excited about saying they are blessed and will have a spouse, a car, a job or whatever else because they have faith. However, all of those things are term portal and earthly. If you are a believer then your greatest benefit is that you’re forgiven. You had Jesus pay for your sins on the cross and take God’s wrath for what you did. What a blessing! Make that your meditation this Easter and moving forward. You have an amazing benefit in God that you’re sins are forgiven!
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses… (Ephesians 1:7).
Happy Easter!
