I’ve lost my benefits since I retired from the State of California’s Retirement System. I was “vested”, but not for enough years to earn the coveted “benefit package”. Since my Trucker man is considered, ‘self-employed’, we are on our own.  Well, we do have some options….none of which are very interesting, but I am thrilled about the BENEFITS of Psalm 103.

Bless the Lord, O My Soul
Of David.

103 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.

Benefit #1 – Forgives all my iniquity – Enough said right there! My greatest need is forgiveness. I cannot be in the presence of a Holy God with iniquity (sin). I am guilty before God and deserve His wrath. He provided the payment for my sin, in His Son Jesus, He woke me up, gave me faith, called me to be His and adopted me to be in His family.  I am a joint heir, of Jesus….what Jesus gets, I get!

Benefit #2 – Heals all my diseases.  – I am so sick, leperously sick, ebola sick, mentally sick, sin sick…I am sick with jealousy, covetousness, and pride. Unless God heals me with His presence in my life, I know I would be a drug addict or alcoholic, needing to anesthetize  myself, because of the sick state of my life. Jesus has healed me. I am recoverd from these diseases.

Benefit #3 – Redeems my life from the pit.  – Not a ‘pity party’…I’ve been in a real pit. When Stan & I were farmer and wife, we had a cistern.  It was very deep and had a large crack in it. We had to repair it, so we could fill it with water supply to the old farm house.  Long story short…it was dark, deep, and without a rescuer to pull me out – I would have lost my life in the pit. Eph 1:7 – In Him, I have redemption, through Christ’s blood. Meaning? It means He paid the required ransom to God for my release from that pit, that bondage of sin…He paid it with His blood so I could have life. It was costly, I am humbled He thought I was worth that.  Now that kind of value is “priceless”.

Benefit #4 – Crowns me with steadfast love and mercy. Unwavering, faithful, constant, devoted, dependable, reliable are words we can define “steadfast”. I am His Royal Daughter, who is showered with love and mercy, how can I fear? Even as I see ‘my kind’ persecuted, and know it could come anytime to this place we call “America, the free, home of the brave”. I’m not sure I want to see it – I’m a woosie. I just have to know He will be there with me every step of the way, whatever comes, because He is steadfast.

Benefit #5 – Satisfies me with good – so my youth is renewed like the eagle’s.  The Eagle has been an example of long lived strength and speed. Some have said at middle age, eagles, do a big “makeover”. Snopes says it’s not true. I don’t care what God meant when comparing to an eagle, I just love that when I am “satisfied in Him, my youth is renewed”. Do I get the a facelift? or Eye lift? No, but counting my blessings, and being content, allows me to look back on my youth (years) and I am renewed of His faithfulness and joy He’s given.

YES, My benefit package is full…vs. 6 – righteousness, justice, and Vs. 12 …as far as the East is from the West (glad He didn’t say North to the South….think about it?!) He has removed my sin. My retirement and benefit package is secure.  

Blessings,  from Kristi BloggerBarefoot