October 13: Psalm 103
1 Kings 17; Colossians 4; Ezekiel 47; Psalm 103
Take in Psalm 103 - read it through, and marinate in it. For my own words will do no justice to its beauties. I will only make a few observations.
First, note that the psalmist is talking to himself in v. 1-5. In fact, most of the psalm - until v. 20 - is him talking to himself. This is incredibly important. We so often acquire warped views of God. As I think Tozer once said, the most important thing about anyone is what he thinks about God. But in the struggles of life, sometimes we need to take ourselves in hand, grab our souls by the lapels, and say, “Soul, listen to me. Here is your God. Bless the LORD, for all that He does and is.”
The key note comes in v. 7: His salvation of His people now recasts all His other doings with them. Because He rescued His people - all by grace, not because they earned it - everything He does now with them is cast in a mold of grace. Even the hard stuff. When He chides, it’s not forever (9). When we sin, He is merciful (10). When suffering comes, He knows our frame, and restrains it (14). See Rom. 8:32.
He is like a father (13). Yet you and I might read this, and bank on that truth ourselves, even more than David. How? Because of Jesus, who is indeed Son to this Father. By faith in Jesus, we are united to him, in all that he is. Thus in Christ this God is not “like” a father to us; He is our Father. What blessed privilege!