Psalm 103:1-5
Bless the Lord, O my soul. All that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits—who pardons all your guilt, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with mercy and compassion, who satisfies your life with goodness, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We are blessed because you sent Jesus to us and because of his name. We read in this Psalm not to forget all the benefits that come to us because of Jesus. He pardoned all our guilt. He came to earth because we were trapped in our iniquities with no way out except for our Savior. Jesus was innocent, and without sin, he took our place with sin’s punishment. So Jesus took our guilt upon himself. It is there we were healed of everything.
On this side of eternity, we suffer the effects of sin with age, disease, cancer, illness, sickness, and eventually, our temporal deaths. All this will continue until Jesus’ return. Then Jesus will raise us imperishable, whole, without sin’s impact on us. This holiness is because he redeemed us from the pit of hell; the gift of mercy and your compassion is placed in our hands of faith. We receive this gift from you as though it has already happened because your promises are sure.
However, what a shame those people who say it is not for them and reject your love. Jesus is the only way to be taken from the pit, and for those who stop discarding him, he gives the crown of mercy and compassion.
All this goodness is from You; we are like bystanders at a parade, and everyone at the parade is given the keys to heaven—as Jesus said, forgiveness is heaven’s key. So we are fulfilled through the keys of forgiveness; forgiveness on earth is the same as in heaven. In heaven, You will restore us to our youth, and our bodies will no longer be tormented by age, sin, temptation, or disease, and we will live with You for the rest of eternity. So we bless your holy name for all you have done for us.
We pray for openings to bring this message of good news, mercy, love, and hope in Jesus to those who do not know him. So that they, too, will be restored to you, their Father in heaven. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
The Lord has blessed us; Jesus came to us and saved us. Moreover, he continues to come to us through his word and sacraments so that we continue to have the assurance of his forgiveness which gives us eternal life and salvation.