All His Benefits

Psalm 103:2 – Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. (NIV)

I have become a scrapbooking enthusiast. I am carefully recording the memories that my grandchildren and I have enjoyed when they visited in my home. I am carefully aiming to communicate my love to them in future years when they will look at my books and recall the occasions.

Memories, when recalled with love, are wonderful experiences. That's what I'm trying to pass on to my loved ones, hoping the message will be received in the future when I am gone.

The psalmist reminds us to "forget not all his benefits". He is God of the past, present, and future. My grandchildren may retain bad memories of times when I've disciplined them or let them down. I hope that, as they enter their adult years, they will be able to see my "good" love for them as well as the "tough love", which was also part of my love for them.

Sometimes, God the Father has to discipline us. We may not understand when He says No to something we want desperately. As we grow spiritually, we can understand why God has had to discipline us at times: it was on account of His love for us. We have to deal with the bad times, ask forgiveness for our resentments, and erase the bad memories, in order to move on to find peace in the present, knowing that God will still be with us in the future.

Prayer: O Lord, You loved us in the past, You love us now in the present, and You will love us in the future. Help us to find Your love and Your peace in our lives today and for the future. You are the God of all time, even though Your concept is different from ours. Lead us in the direction of Your understanding. Amen.

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