Psalms 103:1-13 (NRSV)
Read Psalms 103:1-13 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Verse 2Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits-
Verse 3who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,
Verse 4who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
Verse 5who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Verse 6The Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed.
Verse 7He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.
Verse 8The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Verse 9He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever.
Verse 10He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.
Verse 11For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
Verse 12as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us.
Verse 13As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him.
Devotion
In salesmanship 101 you're taught to sell benefits over features. It's not about the qualities of the product; it's all about what the product will do for the customer. Martin Luther must have known that when he wrote the Small Catechism, where he describes the benefits of the Lord's Supper and Baptism.
Maybe the writer of Psalms discovered that idea first. In Psalm 103 there is a long list of benefits that God offers:
* Forgiveness
* Healing
* Mercy
* Strength
* Justice
* Endless Love
* Compassion
This isn't just a God who IS good. This is a God who DOES something wonderfully good for all people. That's something you can bank on.