Today’s Scripture: Psalm 103:1 NIV- “Of David. Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.”
I was brought to Psalm 103 through the Week 9, Day 1 groundwork lesson in Re:generation entitled “Do you want to get out of the pit?” David begins and ends this chapter with praising the LORD from his soul.
Life can be complicated and yet so simple. Although the key scriptures for this lesson are Psalm 103:2-5. For most of the week I attempted to publish an affirmation based on Psalm 103:17-18. When I read the NIV version of verse seventeen “But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—” I knew that all I want is the LORD’s love forever.
The NKJV translation of verse eighteen was most clear to me “To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them.” These two verses sent me on a journey as I considered David’s words providing requirements to live in our LORD’s everlasting love.
We are told we must fear the LORD. That is a straightforward affirmation “I fear the LORD.” To make sure I was tracking with what was required of me I Googled what David meant here in Psalm 103 by saying fear the LORD. The AI overview put it this way “When David (and the Bible) speaks of “fearing the LORD,” it doesn’t mean being terrified, but rather a profound awe, reverence, and deep respect for God’s holiness, power, and presence, which leads to wisdom and a desire to obey Him, recognizing Him as Creator, King, and loving Father, not just a judge to be feared. It is about giving God His proper, exalted place, leading to a life of gratitude, avoiding sin, seeking peace, and pursuing His ways.”
Secondly, we are instructed to keep the LORD’s covenants. What exactly does that mean? Another Google AI search informs us that God had made covenants with Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and the New Covenant of Jesus Christ. As Jesus said at the Last Supper with His apostles in Luke 22:20, “Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” (NKJV) Thank You Jesus for Your blood, shed for us so that we may live in covenant with God.
Thirdly we are called to remember To Do God’s commands. Jesus also said in John 14:21 “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” (NKJV) Thankfully, Jesus promised to help us in John 14:26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” (NKJV)
We find peace in praise. As Jesus said in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (NIV) Jesus even answers the age-old question of why God allowed evil into this world in John 14:31 “but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me. “Come now; let us leave.” (NIV)
What happens to us in our lives also helps us teach others how we have found the love of the Father. Let us love the Father and do exactly what He commands us today. Will you praise the LORD with all your soul today?
Today’s Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am praising You with all my soul. Thank You for loving us first and for sending us Your Son and Your Spirit. We pray to live in Your Spirit who reminds us of all that You and Jesus have said to us. Help us Holy Spirit to praise our LORD always. In the name of Jesus, the Christ we do pray. Amen.
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