Last week, we discussed the fact that the Word of God is the greatest available tool in our arsenal. This week, we’ll focus on the benefits that the Word says are available to us. Let’s remind ourselves what those are.
Psalm 103:1-5 - Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
So let’s break these down. The first one here is that He forgives our iniquities. This is the main promise that accepting Jesus Christ gives us - our sins are forgiven. Our past is erased and we are redeemed back to Him.
Ephesians 1:7 - In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.
Isaiah 53:5 - But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
All of our punishment for sin and wrongdoings was taken by Jesus. He paid the price for us, so that we wouldn’t have to. Now let’s look at the second part of that last Scripture. And by His stripes we are healed. The beatings He received, the crown of thorns, the spear in His side, and His death on the cross were all so we might be healed. Spiritually yes, and in addition, He heals all our diseases. That’s exactly what Psalm 103 says! This means in our physical bodies. We ARE healed. God doesn’t intend for us to be sick!
Matthew 9:35 - Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
Just as Jesus healed sickness and disease while He was on earth, His sacrifice meant we could receive healing here and now. Our youth and strength is renewed and restored.
Isaiah 40:29-31 - He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
This entire verse talks about being strengthened physically - “let the weak say I am strong”. It’s the Lord that gives us strength and power.
Now let’s look at the portion of the Psalm that says “he satisfies your years with good things.” Good things can mean different things to different people, however, one translation says “who satisfies your desires with good things.” So what is it that we desire? And is it wrong to desire?
Psalm 20:4 - (CSB) May He give you what your heart desires and fulfill your whole purpose.
Psalm 37:4 - Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 145:16 - You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
Now before you say, those are all Old Testament references, we can take the words of Jesus Himself.
Mark 11:24 - Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
This isn’t about writing ourselves a blank check to everything that we want. But when we accept Jesus, we are made a new creature and are instructed that we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:16 For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
What does that mean as far as our desires for “good things”?
Matthew 6:31-33 - “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Bear in mind that this also means that all our needs are met. I take that to mean that we shouldn’t be in lack, physically, spiritually, or even financially.
Deuteronomy 8:18 - “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
3 John 1:2 - Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
So right there in the Bible, the most powerful tool in our arsenal as believers, Jesus tells us how we are to live, and the benefits that go along with serving Him. When was the last time you thought about the benefits of the Lord? Are there any promises that you’ve forgotten?
Until next time - Be Blessed my friends!