What Are The Benefits of Knowing God?
Got So Excited I Had To Shout!
We Christians have good reason to shout the praises of God! Look, look what the Lord has done, is doing, and will do for the redeemed of the Lord.
The 103rd Psalm enumerates God’s glorious benefits and promises to His people. The Psalmist David cannot help but shout out the praises of his great and mighty God. There is absolutely no one who will do or can do what God has done for us. Let’s take a closer look at Psalm 103:1-5 and the benefits of those who belong to God lest we forget or take for granted His great love.
V1 Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!
As we reflect upon the amazing benefits of our relationship with the Lord a wellspring of worship erupts within our being. We are filled with inexplicable joy that burst forth in praise and thanksgiving! With all that is within me, my soul shouts hallelujah! Praise His holy name! Such adoration involves our heart, mind, soul, spirit, emotions, and all our being—all that is within us. To bless (praise) the Lord is an act of worship. God’s truth sets our hearts on fire for him. A sense of well-being comes over us and we are encouraged in every way.
V2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:
How is it possible for a child of God to forget the benefits and blessings that are ours in Christ?
All believers experience seasons of trials and tribulations that God uses to teach us valuable lessons as we grow in the grace and knowledge of God. During such times the crafty tempter visits us to run down God and our faith. He whispers, “God doesn’t care about you and you are a terrible person.” In the meantime, your world is seemingly crashing down upon you. While nothing appears to be going right and everything is going wrong, doubt and fear become overwhelming adversaries. However, we must remember that Satan is a liar who came to “steal, kill, and destroy.” Here’s what Jesus said:
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)
The benefits of God are real and available to every born-again child of God. Trust in the Lord and He will make a way when there is none. Have you forgotten this?
V3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,
We must never forget the Lord has forgiven and cleansed us of all our sins, washed us clean with His precious blood, and cleansed us from a guilty conscience. He is the savior of our soul and the healer of all our diseases. We are no more deserving of forgiveness of sins than we are of divine healing in our physical bodies. Nevertheless, forgiveness and divine healing belong to the children of the Lord. If it is possible to have every sin forgiven then it is possible to have all our diseases healed. Somebody needs to shout and praise His holy name!
V4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Born in the pit of corruption (bound by hell) and unable to escape its destructive forces God came looking for me, calling me by name, and rescued me from the “mirey clay” of my sinful ways! He stood me upright on the rock, Christ Jesus, and established my life in the newness of His eternal love. Now I sing a new song, I have a new life I never thought possible, and I cannot help but sing His glorious praises. David says it like this:
I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth— Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the LORD. (Psalm 40:1-3)
God not only rescued and saved me when I deserved nothing but condemnation for my sinful ways, He placed a crown (poured out) of His overflowing “loving kindness and tender mercies” upon me as if I were someone special. In 1 John 3:1, the apostle John says, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” I’m a child of the King!
V5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagles.
God satisfies our lives, desires, needs, and appetites with good and excellent things. Psalms 34:8 says “O taste and see that the Lord is good.” The promise of renewing strength and vitality for longevity belongs to the child of God. As the eagle’s strength to soar is renewed by shedding feathers and growing new ones we are promised supernatural vitality all the days of our lives. When our strength is weak we will wait on God to renew our strength.
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. (Isaiah 40:31)
The benefits of turning to Christ in true repentance make available all of God’s blessings and benefits. If you are not a born-again child of God, perhaps today will be your day of salvation. Isn’t it time to repent of your sinful ways and turn your life over to God?
How to Turn to God
Perhaps at this very moment, you have realized that you need the Lord in your life. Maybe you drifted away or need to be born again? If so, you can stop right now and begin talking to God. Ask Him to forgive you for being a sinner and for the life you have been living outside of His love. Surrender your life to Him, unconditionally. Call Him Lord and make Him Lord of every thought, attitude, and action. You can say, Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins, come into my heart, and take full control of my life. I am your child from this day forward. Change my heart and mind to be Christ-like in every way. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Savior forever.
