As we reflect through the season of Epiphany and approach the season of Lent, Pastor Jim sent the following thoughts about God’s goodness and blessings to us.
“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel: The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 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;”
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An outstanding song written by Andre Crouch, entitled: “My Tribute,” expresses reasons for expressing gratitude to God for all of the grace and blessings God has expressed to us. Slowly and prayerfully consider these words:
My Tribute
How can I say thanks for the things You have done for me Things so undeserved, yet You give to prove Your love for Me? The voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude All that I am and ever hope to be, I owe it all to Thee.
To God be the glory, to God be the glory, To God be the glory for the things He has done! With His blood He has saved Me, With His pow’r He has raised me To God be the glory for the things He has done!
Just let me live my life, Let it be pleasing, Lord, to Thee; And should I gain any praise, Let it go to Calvary.
With His blood He has saved me, With His pow’r He has raised me To God be the glory for the things He has done! To God be the glory for the things He has done!!!
Play the below video to hear Andre Crouch perform “My Tribute”. The video presents verses from Philippians chapter 2. This hymn is also found in our Hymnal on page 99…
What Can I Return to the Lord?
In a sense, the words of this song restate the question that is found in Psalm 116:12,
“What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me?”
But then the song writer answers the question.
The words of the song, especially the two phrases in the first line, express the question of Psalm 116:12. But Andre Crouch goes on to answer the question with the theme: “To God Be The Glory!” His answer to the question is thanksgiving, praise, and worship!
In Psalm 116, just like Psalm 103 noted above, the psalmist is writing a song of personal thanksgiving. The “why” of his worship, praise, and thanksgiving is clearly seen and expressed in the psalms. In this and many of the Psalms, the Psalmist,
· expresses his love for the Lord,
· rehearses his past distresses,
· reports and reflects on his deliverance by the hand of God, and
· recommits to praise the Lord for his deliverance.
Consider God’s Goodness…
The writer knows and in a sense encourages all of his readers why the Lord should thanked. The question asked, “What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me?” is in many ways a tool to prompt all of us to consider God’s goodness and grace towards us. David in Psalm 103 provides a number ways God provides us with blessings. While not an exhaustive list to be sure, it does lead us to a point of reflection and meditating upon the ways God has expressed undeserved grace and goodness to all of us.
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As we begin our journey through this Holy season of Epiphany heading towards Ash Wednesday, perhaps we can pause to consider all of the many blessings we have from our gracious, kind, loving, forgiving, caring and merciful God. And perhaps we can join our voices with Mr. Crouch who wrote, “To God be the glory, to God be the glory, To God be the glory for the things He has done!
Shalom,
Pastor Jim
Note: This is the final “Pastor’s Ponderings” written by Pastor Jim Bolton….
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