Psalm 103:2
Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Psalm 103:2
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Born in a log cabin in Franklin, Kentucky, Thomas Obadiah Chisholm began teaching when he was sixteen. His first class was in a tiny country schoolhouse where he received his education. He was an ordained minister in the Methodist church despite not acquiring a seminary education by the time he was twenty-seven. He wrote many poems and stories in his life, but the most commonly known is the hymn “Great is your faithfulness.”
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be
Great is Thy faithfulness, great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning, new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me
During his adult life, he did not enjoy great health. He was asked during an interview to explain why he trusted God even though his health wasn’t better. Thomas said, “God has given me many outstanding examples of His providing care that have filled me with incredible gratitude.”
“Though He Slay Me, Yet Will I Trust In Him,” Job 13:15.
They Are All Dead
Sometimes we only praise God when things are going the way we want them to. Thomas was echoing the psalmist’s words, reminding us not to forget the benefits we have received from the Lord. Job lost 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yokes of oxen, and 500 donkeys in a single day. He also lost all his ten children, his dignity and his friends and family. The avalanche of the troubles that Job dealt with in a single day is incomprehensible. However, when all was said and done, Job’s reply was this, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:20)
The story of Job is one of complex trials, terror and despair, yet it teaches us how God rewards those who remain faithful during the harsh storms of life. Life can indeed be burdensome and full of unexplained troubles and challenges. Most people ask, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” How often do we find ourselves counting our problems instead of our blessings?
Always Be Thankful
Paul wrote to the Thessalonians that they should always be joyful (1 Thessalonians 5:16). It’s a simple instruction but not easily done when frustrated, tired, desperate or hopeless. Counting our blessings is the first step to exercising thanksgiving for the amazing things that God has done for us. It is essential to keep track of the seemingly small things or answers that God has done.
You asked God for healing, and he miraculously healed your sickness. You prayed for favour in your workplace, and now you are the head of the department. We must change our perspective from the burdens of life to the blessings we have obtained in God. Take time and list the blessings of God in your life; provision, health, his word, salvation etc. Those who put their trust in God will always renew their strength (Isaiah 40:31).
King James Version (KJV)
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits”
New International Version (NIV)
“Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits”
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits”
New American Bible (NASB)
“Bless the Lord, my soul, And do not forget any of His benefits;”
English Standard Version (ESV)
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits”
The Living Bible (TLB)
“Yes, I will bless the Lord and not forget the glorious things he does for me.”