Resting Devotion 9: Abundant Benefits

This is the ninth in a 14-week devotion series on the theme of resting, originally written for the Bible Society Australia. Join us as we visit texts that remind us of God’s character.  As we rest in the truths of who he is, what he has done, what he promises to continue to provide, and the certainty of our hope, we will find rest and strength for our souls.

Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits –

 …

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
So great is his love for those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
So far has he removed our transgressions from us
As a father has compassion on his children,
So, the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.

Psalm 103:2, 11-13

We can rest in these deep truths, that we are forgiven, healed, ransomed, restored, and renewed. Why? Because our God is a God of steadfast, unfailing, never-ending love. 

To rest in a truth, you need to soak in it, marinate in it, steep in it.  Read this Psalm slowly and let its truths fill your mind and trickle down into your heart and soul. 

God’s love for us is unfathomable and immeasurable. We know we can’t touch the heavens – our universe extends unendingly. The east and west will never meet. This is how much he loves us. He let his own precious perfect son die for us to pay the price for our flaws, our faults, our failures, our rebellion. Now they are gone.  We are forgiven. He won’t treat us as our sins deserve; he won’t accuse us or repay us.  

It’s hard to stand in front of someone who loves like this. Being so aware of my own flaws, like Isaiah, I want to fall down and cry, ‘Woe is me!… for I am a woman of unclean lips, unclean thoughts, I am self-focused and not worthy of love.’ My failings are so apparent to me. I only have to open my mouth and too often, I have stuffed up, yet again. Too often, I take out my tiredness and frustrations on those closest to me.  

This is what makes God’s love so amazing. He sees me like this and scoops me up into His arms and says, ‘I love you, and I will forgive you, I will restore and renew you and wash you clean’. He scoops you up into His arms and says ‘I love you’ – I forgive you.’  

Soak in the gentle loving kindness of the Lord our God today. Our God is a God of compassion and grace – he is slow to anger and abounding in love. This is our God.

Thank you, Lord, that you treat me with a gentleness and kindness. You forgive me, you heal me, you restore me and you redeem me. Help me to rest in this truth and soak in its richness and live as if I am crowned with love and compassion. Amen.