It is very sad but many people wake up with aching joints, aching backs, lacking joy, wondering how they can shake off their lethargy and make it through the day. In many ways life has become more of a burden to them than any kind of excitement. So just how does a person go from a down and out state to a place of rejoicing and joy?
Here are some suggestions provided by David in Psalm 103:1-5.
- Let’s thank God — especially for all of His “benefits” (Psalm 103:2) — one of those being our salvation. Our gratefulness will lead to joy (Acts 8:35-39).
- Let’s thank God for His forgiveness, for He “forgives all your iniquities” (Psalm 103:3), and “has cast all our sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19).
- Let’s thank Him for healing our diseases (Psalm 103:3). God uses infirmity and disorders to draw us more deeply into His love and care (Psalm 119:67; Psalm 119:71).
- Let’s thank Him for redeeming our life from destruction (Psalm 103:4). This is more than rescue from a premature death — it is redemption from death itself (1 Corinthians 15:54-57).
- Let’s thank Him for crowning our life “with lovingkindness and tender mercies” (Psalm 103:4).
- Let’s thank the One who provides our spiritual and physical needs — allowing us to rise up every day and soar like the eagle, because He renews our strength and vigor (Psalm 103:5; cf. Isaiah 40:28-31).
Let’s thank God for all spiritual blessings which are found only “in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).