The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Psalm 103:1-6, “Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits;
3 Who pardons all your iniquities; Who heals all your diseases;
4 Who redeems your life from the pit; Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
5 Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.
6 The LORD performs righteous deeds, And judgments for all who are oppressed.”

In our last Letter, Paul and Silas had been ignominiously cast into prison. Where they might have legally complained, instead they prayed and sang praises to the LORD! Have your ever tried singing praises to the LORD when you are the object of a false accusation? We may never know what song they sang or whether they possessed attractive discordant voices, yet they could hardly have selected words more appropriate than those of this Davidic psalm.

Verses 1 and 2 are self-reminders of the LORD and all of His previous blessings. How often we desire things from the LORD, but forget to thank Him for all He has previously bestowed upon us. It’s so easy to complain about current difficulties, but it does us well to inventory the LORD’s blessings. (Stop reading right now and review the blessings you have received from the LORD. You can start with the fact that you are alive!)

The remaining verses above (i.e., 3-6) are a rehearsal of the LORD’s many blessings: He pardons, forgives the multiple sins we have committed, but we must confess them. He heals diseases of which we’re not even aware. The LORD Jesus is our Kinsman-Redeemer and He delivers us from the pitfalls of life. Then, He lovingly and compassionately rewards us in multiple ways beyond our calculation! Just think of the good and beneficient things you have at His Hand alone! Moreover, He abundantly satisfies the years of our lives with His goodness. We are alive only at His good pleasure; and further, the agility we possess in our latter years is itself a gift from His Hand! Think of that!

It is characteristic of our LORD to perform all kinds of righteous deeds. Don’t think for a minute that Paul and Silas didn’t know that! That’s what occasioned their singing! It’s Satan’s way to darken and dampen our days. He is our oppressor! The LORD is our Savior, our Deliverer, Benefactor–our Friend! He judges our oppressor as we praise His Holy Name! Always think on the bright side of our darkening world. The LORD is now and forever in charge. Just bless the LORD and whatever your situation, don’t forget how He is lovingly blessing you!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom