“Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.” – Psa. 103:1
Everyone is concerned about blessings. The problem is that they are usually more concerned about getting blessings than giving them. But there’s one that should always follow the other. He who is blessed ought to bless. But this takes on an even greater significance when we think about it in terms of blessings the Lord. Knowing He demands it, deserves it, and delights in it makes it of immense importance. How then could we dare do otherwise?
Our response to the blessings of God should be blessing God. As George Matheson wrote, “God speaks, and the echo is praise. God blesses us and the response is that we bless God”. Sadly we usually get it backwards. We usually commence our prayers by asking God to bless us, rather than seeking to bless Him. That is an evidence that we are selfish and therefore unworthy. But out of the depths of His grace God blesses us any way – giving all the more reason to bless Him.
Seeing the greatness of God’s grace and the marvelous manifestations of God’s mercy, how can we fail to magnify His name? We ought to be so thrilled by His treasures that we testify everywhere of His person and work. Being pleased by Him should prompt us to praise Him. His works and worthiness should cause us to worship Him in spirit and truth. Just as the river rises after a torrential rain it is only natural that our praise ascends to God’s throne after the out pouring of His blessings. It is a sinful shortcoming if that doesn’t happen. Moses warned us about this in Deut. 8:18-19 “But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish”.
Clearly, un-thankfulness is an evil, an extreme evil that will lead to our destruction. Let us then remember to never forget the blessings of God, nor our responsibility to bless Him. May we awaken every morning with these words ringing in our heart “Bless the LORD, O my soul“. May that be our theme song all day and our closing prayer at night. – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
