My Benefit Package (JustJeff

My Benefit Package

Psalm 103:1-5 (NIV)
1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

A couple of weeks ago, Jayme and I purchased an extended warranty for her car from the dealer. We compared the estimated cost of taking the car to the mechanic to have it checked out against the cost of the warranty and felt the warranty was the better deal. Under this warranty, if anything goes wrong we just take it to the dealer and it gets taken care of. We don't even have to think about it. This passage is like reading the "God warranty" on my life. David is telling us, and himself, don't forget the great benefit of being God's child. This coverage is bumper to bumper, from the powertrain to the electrical systems, inside and out. Look at this list.

"(W)ho forgives all your sins..." David wrote these words when there was only the hope of the Messiah. Yet, this was the first benefit listed. He knew that somehow God, because of His love for mankind, would make a way for for our sin to be dealt with. It's important for someone like me who has followed Jesus for most of my life to remember that this is the most important benefit of my relationship with Him. "...and heals all your diseases..." This is both a spiritual and physical benefit. The dis-ease caused by sin is dealt with. And the promise of physical wholeness is a reality as well. I remember these benefits each time I receive communion.

"(W)ho redeems your life from the pit..." I like to think of this as being free from the hole I would have dug for myself. God has pulled me out of that hole and has even used that experience to re-shape my life. "...and crowns you with love and compassion..." Instead of being marked by shame and rejection, I have been accepted and have become the beneficiary of God's love. It has given my life a sense of dignity, and has charged me with the responsibility to live my life characterized by treating others with the same compassion.

"(W)ho satisfies your desires with good things..." In another place in scripture it says that he gives us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4). There's nothing I want or need that won't be supplied. Even better, I'll experience life satisfaction - not bound by the cravings of lust and covetousness. Like a cool glass of water when I'm thirsty, so will I be satisfied with what I give my life to.

It good to reflect on my benefits package. Lord, I praise you today and bless Your holy name.

Posted by Jeff on May 7, 2007 6:03 AM | Permalink

My Benefit Package

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