Today, my friends, if you are having a hard time being thankful for where you currently are or aren’t; or what you currently have or don’t have; or who you are currently with or without, may the words of Psalm 103 remind you of something you do have that can never be taken away, lost, or changed.
You know… we’re not told to give thanks FOR everything, but IN everything. There is a difference. Giving thanks IN everything means that despite the difficulty, our eyes of faith can see the Lord in the midst of it all. And from the midst of it all, we give God thanks because of who He is, where He is, and what He has that He bestows on us. If that’s all we can think of in which to be thankful, that’s enough. That’s giving thanks IN everything.
Psalm 103 is a beautiful offering of thanks IN everything. No matter where we are or aren’t, what we have or haven’t, or who we’re with or without, these words remain true. We can take them to heart, and be thankful.
O my soul, bless God.
From head to toe, I’ll bless his holy name!
O my soul, bless God,
don’t forget a single blessing!
He forgives your sins—every one.
He heals your diseases—every one.
He redeems you from hell—saves your life!
He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown.
He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal.
He renews your youth—you’re always young in his presence.
God makes everything come out right;
he puts victims back on their feet…
God is sheer mercy and grace;
not easily angered, he’s rich in love.
He doesn’t endlessly nag and scold,
nor hold grudges forever.
He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve,
nor pay us back in full for our wrongs.
As high as heaven is over the earth,
so strong is his love to those who fear him.
And as far as sunrise is from sunset,
he has separated us from our sins.
As parents feel for their children,
God feels for those who fear him.
He knows us inside and out,
keeps in mind that we’re made of mud…
God’s love, though, is ever and always,
eternally present to all who fear him,
Making everything right for them and their children
as they follow his Covenant ways
and remember to do whatever he said.
God has set his throne in heaven;
he rules over us all. He’s the King!
So bless God…
Bless God, all creatures, wherever you are—
everything and everyone made by God.
And you, O my soul, bless God!
Psalm 103 The Message
