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Christian Living

Psalm 103: Finding Comfort In God’s Covenant Promises For Healing And Deliverance

Happy Sunday during the season of gratitude and Thanksgiving! Today the Lord impressed upon my heart to share Psalm 103. I have several friends and family dealing with chronic health issues, and having dealt with them myself, I have found this Psalm to be a very powerful balm for the anxiety and nervousness that comes from illness, and not knowing where to turn for help when doctors have no answers. Psalm 103 reminds us of many of the benefits that come along with being a child of the one true God—Yaweh, Jehovah. Because he is a covenant God, we can be assured he will keep his promises to those who are in covenant agreement with him. First of all, what is a covenant?

cov·e·nant
ˈkəvənənt/
noun
  1. 1.
    an agreement.
    synonyms: contractagreementundertakingcommitmentguaranteewarrant,

    pledgepromisebondindenture;

     

So, a covenant is a contract…a pledge…a promise! A legal promise of GOD!

For all of my adult life I have dealt with very serious health problems. I will not get into listing them all here, so we will just fast foward to the present.  I sit here with some nagging health complaints, but I also STAND firm with a testimony of healing from so many of the health issues that kept me in bondage both physically and emotionally for many years.

When I was fighting a life and death situation, I had to make a real choice to believe God and take him at his word. I would and still do, often sing:

“Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus, just to take him at his word! Just to rest upon his promise, just to KNOW, THUS SAITH THE LORD!”

TIs So Sweet To Trust In Jesus sheet music

 

When the Lord says something, it is truth! There can be no lie in him, and therefore no possibility of His word failing. It is up to us to “appropriate” or put into practice, the act of believing, despite what we are seeing or feeling.

As I started to feast upon scripture morning, noon and, night, I began to see physical changes for the better. I also had many spiritual insights into healing, how to help others,  and how to stand strong when symptoms persist.

Psalm 103 is such a very powerful Psalm for dealing with chronic health (dis-ease) or difficult circumstances in life. The Psalmist reminds us of the truth that God has given us benefits, just like insurance, that we can know that as his children he will cover us and come through when we TRUST him… and here’s the hard part…PUT HIM FIRST.  Do we receive our insurance pay outs immediately? Not always! Sometimes there is a certain amount of time that must pass,  or perhaps certain criteria we must also meet to receive that insurance payout. We are that policy that God is maturing!

Putting God first and absolutely believing him while our “policy is maturing” is difficult! That’s the part many of us struggle with. But sometimes to appropriate, or bring about God’s promises in our lives, we have to wait upon the Lord, no matter how we would like to receive our benefits right away. When we are going through difficulties and have seen absolutely no change in our circumstances despite believing and trusting God, we may become weary, depressed or even apathetic. Praising God is one of the most effective ways to have a spiritual breakthrough and to begin opening our hearts to receive God’s truth and healing in our lives and to renew our strength. He loves praise, he is worthy of praise, and he honors those who praise him.

Praise And Worship Hymns

“Praise the Lord for He is glorious! NEVER SHALL HIS PROMISE FAIL!”

Once we have settled the matter in our hearts and minds that God will keep his covenant promises we begin to receive the benefits of Psalm 103 over time. Let’s take a closer look at this wonderful Psalm! As you read, keep in mind that “blessing” the Lord is the same as “Praising” the Lord!

Psalm 103 KJV

103 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.

10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;

18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

20 Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

21 Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

22 Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.

When I am feeling depressed or anxious, I return to this verse. I read it silently, taking it all in. Then I speak it out loud and hear the benefits of the Lord! My spirit is lifted!

There is healing and power in the word of God. It is supernatural! This Psalm (along with Psalm 91 ) absolutely helped me through the scariest and darkest times of my illness when no doctor or scientist had answers. Just knowing God is in control, and that he absolutely will keep his promises to those who keep theirs to him is medicinal!

1But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;

18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

Verse 17 and 18 remind us that his mercy is to those who keep his covenant! Therefore, we do have a responsibility in this spiritual legal and binding contract!

If you are going through a difficult situation that has lasted weeks, months, or possibly even years, I encourage you to begin to use this Psalm as part of your spiritual warfare arsenal. It is through my own personal experience with chronic health issues and direct interaction with others who were facing serious health issues, financial hardships, marital/family/relationship problems, and addictions, that God revealed to me the truth behind many of these situations:

Ephesians 6:12 KJV

1For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

The best defense against the satanic forces which seek to destroy God’s children is the WORD of God! When Jesus was tempted in the desert, he basically told the devil…”Hit the road! IT IS WRITTEN!” Jesus taught us by His own example that his word is how we defeat the devil! Yes, we can defeat him! We are higher and more powerful than the enemy!  Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

My friends I do hope you will study and memorize Psalm 103 so that you can recall it easily for yourself and others. I know you will find much comfort and healing in this verse! Remember to stand firm, and persist! Joseph was in bondage 13 long and torturous years, (Genesis 37- 50) but he continued to believe God no matter what. God was faithful! He renewed Joseph’s youth like the eagle’s and crowned him with lovingkindess and tender mercies…and he will do the same for each of us! For more on Joseph’s life and the importance of waiting upon the Lord, you might enjoy this wonderful sermon by Dr. Charles Stanley, Through Times Of Trial .  In closing, I will leave you with these powerful words from Joseph found in Genesis 41:16:

“I cannot do it, but GOD CAN!”

As many of us have Thanksgiving dinner traditions of listing and discussing things we are Thankful for, may we also remember the benefits of the Lord! How grateful am I for those benefits!

Many prayers for healing and deliverance for all God leads to read this post. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Amber

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3 Comments

  • Reply S

    This is awesome Amber. I think of Psalm 103 for healing and Psalm 91 for protection also. I pray to him my God is a God who saves. Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home.

    November 14, 2017 at 5:18 am
  • Reply Sherry

    I will feature this tomorrow at Home Sweet Home!

    November 16, 2017 at 4:29 am
    • Reply Amber Lyon Ferguson

      Thank you Sherry!

      November 17, 2017 at 2:00 am

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