THE DIVINE BENEFITS PACKAGE (PART 2)
Psalms 103
We will continue with our series from Psalms 103, the Divine Benefits Package. We asked the question last week: What do we need the most during this time of pandemic? While we may all agree we need an economist or a great leader, individually by themselves these things are not enough to solve our many needs. We concluded that we need a comprehensive plan that covers the whole person, our spiritual, physical, and mental health wellbeing.
In Psalms 103 David gives us this comprehensive plan. He starts out first with the Call of Praise and a call to remember.
The God of Benefits
In today`s world, we are keenly aware of the benefits associated with our employment. What sort of insurance we have; what is my retirement package, what are my sick/health benefits; what does my plan cover, etc.
How often do we think about or contemplate our divine benefits package from God?
In Psalms 103:3-5 we have six incredible divine benefits listed for us.
Look at the six verbs that direct what God has done:
He Forgives all your Iniquities
This benefit reflects what we need most, our deepest need—Forgiveness of sin. The Bible states, Roman 3:23: For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. We have violated God`s law. However, provision has been made in this plan to forgive all your sins.He Heals Diseases (health coverage)
This must be understood in proper context; in our physical state as Christians we cannot expect perpetual healing from every illness, so that we will never die.
What this text does suggest is this; the God who created our human body is able, consistent with His own purpose, to heal, mend His own creation. Due to the Fall, we are broken individuals, subject to sicknesses and infirmities. With diseases comes hurt, pain, suffering, wounds, scars, sorrows and crying; however, we look forward to Revelation 21: 4 when we have final and complete victory over diseases.Matthew 8:16: When evening came, they brought all those who were demon possessed and He droves out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This fulfils what was spoken by Isaiah, He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.
He Redeems your life from Destruction
The word Redeem means to buy back, to rescue. Here David was in danger of losing his life. He was on the brink of death and the Lord delivered him. In a spiritual sense, this phrase has a much greater application for us.
Jesus, the Kinsman redeemer, paid the price of redemption by shedding His blood; we are redeemed from the guilt and shame of our sins.
We look forward to our ultimate redemption of our body (see Romans 8:23).He Crowns you with Lovingkindness and Tender Mercies
The term becomes a metaphor for the qualities of God’s nature—lovingkindness and mercy—having been extended to sinful man. See the progression: we have been elevated from the pit/destruction and now crowned with lovingkindness and mercy. Paul states in Ephesians 2:6, And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
The word implies Royalty; Kingship which comes with dignity and honor.He Satisfies your Mouth with Good Things
(The maturity of age; in old age; prime of life, as long as I live) Even in your advanced age, you will be satisfied, because of the good things God supplies you.
In Ecclesiastes 6:7, Solomon states: All man’s effort (labour) are for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied.
No man is ever filled to satisfaction; this cannot be attained in this world by this world; we always want more and more.
David states in Psalm 34: Oh taste and see that the Lord is good.He Renews your youth like the Eagles
The eagle is a bird that enjoys an unusual vigorous longevity, they live from 30 to 50 years. The idea is that you will continue; your disposition will be that of a youth; continue to soar as the eagle.
It gives the idea of what Paul states in 2 Corinthians 4:16: Wherefore we faint not, but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day.
The Psalmist’s sentiment would encourage us not to be grumpy old men/women as we ease beyond our prime years even though this time is fraught with difficulties. But rather with joy, we must realize that the best is yet to come.
As we go through this time together, remember to Praise the Lord, and Remember your divine benefits plan God has given you.
Pastor Charles Lawrence
Prayer Points
Scriptures: Psalms 103:1-22
Confess any known and unknown sins.
Father, I thank You that I am able to participate in today’s fasting program.
Commit the month of May into the Lord’s hands. Pray that you will end the month well in Jesus’ name.
Ps 103:1 – Father, I bless Your name, let my soul praise You.
Ps 103:2 – Jehovah, remind me of Your goodness, mercy, grace and favour.
Ps 103:2 – Jesus, may my household and I never forget the good things You do us. (mention them)
Ps 103:3 - Jehovah Rapha heal us (household & church) of our diseases (COVID-19 and others) (mention them)
Jehovah Rapha, heal the sick and comfort the bereaved among us in Jesus’ name.
Jeremiah 30:17a – Lord, in Jesus’ name, restore Pastor Barry’s health.
Jeremiah 30:17a - Lord, restore the health of the sick and vulnerable among us. (mention them)
Ps 103:5 – Despite the COVID-19 situations, fill my life with good things.
Ps 103:5 – Lord, fill the lives of those who have been adversely impacted by COVID-19 with good things.
Father deliver the world from this pandemic in Jesus’ name.
Ps 103:13 – Jehovah Nissi, cover our households and the church under Your wings in Jesus’ name.
Ps 103:18 – Lord, save the unsaved members of our families in Jesus’ name. (pray this seriously)
Psalms 91:10 – Elohim, protect our front-line workers from the COVID-19 plague. (pray this seriously)
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
Note: There will be no Prayer Conference Call this morning.
Pastor’s Chat with Pastor Charles at 8:00 pm
ppt.church/live
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