By Zenobia Irwin
Psalm 103:1–8 begins with a beautiful invitation: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits.”
There are times in life when we can become so focused on what is going wrong that we forget to notice what God has already done. We remember the challenges, disappointments, unanswered prayers and things that still need to be resolved. Yet this Psalm gently calls us to pause and remember.
Remember the moments when God carried you when you felt you could not carry yourself. Remember the prayers that were answered, even if the answer came differently from what you expected. Remember the people God placed in your life at just the right time. Remember the forgiveness, mercy and love that have sustained you.
Psalm 103 reminds us that God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Even in difficult seasons, there is always something we can remember and give thanks for.
Today and the week ahead I encourage you that before we focus on what we still need, let us pause and recognise what we have already received.
Remember His goodness. Remember His mercy. Remember His faithfulness. And let our remembering become worship: “Bless the Lord, O my soul!”
Gracious God, help me this week to remember Your goodness, especially when life feels difficult. When I am anxious, remind me of Your faithfulness. When I am discouraged, remind me of Your love. When I focus on what I lack, open my eyes to the blessings I have already received. Help me to carry a grateful heart, to trust Your mercy, and to recognise Your presence in the ordinary moments of each day.
May I never forget that I am held by a God who is merciful, gracious and abounding in steadfast love.
Amen.
