“Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart… May I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things.” Ps.103:1-4
Jesus, from the huge arsenal you’ve given us for spiritual warfare, no weaponry is more effective than praise, thankfulness, and worship. This is good to know because we are under siege daily. Our enemies are without and within—including gospel-amnesia, spiritual malnutrition, unforgiveness, bitterness, and shame—just to name five of many.
So, on this July Tuesday we take up King David’s revolutionary song of thankfulness and praise (Psalm 103) and make it ours. In our most gospel-sane moments, we know our gratitude list outnumbers our vexing list 10-to-1, if not 100-to-1… Starting with these five:
(1) Our union with you Jesus—our “in-Christ-ness” – Phil. 2:1. (2) Our adoption as Abba’s beloved children. (3) The sealing and indwelling of the Holy Spirit—the “Spirit of Sonship.” (4) Citizenship in heaven, and the new heaven and new earth as our eternal home. (5) Your constant love, advocacy, and intercession for us.
What the heck, let’s bump our list up to seven. (6) The gift of grace-friends—a Gospel-posse with whom to share the joys and heartaches of life. (7) Your commitment to make all things new, eliminate all evil, work in all things for our good, and make us completely like yourself at your return.
Jesus, if we just “remember to remember” these seven, the devil will flee, our hearts will soar, and our feet will dance. So Very Amen.