Psalm 103:2 (ESV)
² Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,

This is a Psalm of David, and he knew a little something about praising God. Maybe that was be-cause he had been forgiven so much. Despite the sins David committed against God, he was still richly blessed by his Maker, and he knew it. David made a practice of doing what we should all do—he remembered the benefits of the Lord.

David reminds us how richly blessed we are. We all have unique blessings that we have been given by God, but we have shared blessings too. For example, we have all been forgiven, that is, those of us who have obeyed the gospel of Christ. David said of God,

Psalm 103:3 (ESV)
³ Who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,

Is there a greater benefit in life than the forgiveness of sins? The answer is no. The forgiveness of sins is more valuable than any physical possession we might have. David wrote of the blessedness of the man whose sins are covered, and against whom sins are not imputed (Psalm 32:1-2; Romans 4:7-8). Notice, David does not say that the person who never sins is blessed, but the person who does sin, but, by the grace of God, that sin is not put down on his account. What a benefit it is to know that God is so forgiving, making it possible for us to go to heaven after a while, even though we fail to live perfectly before God.

Forgiveness of sins is a benefit that carries with it other benefits or blessings. David next refers to the benefit of being redeemed from the pit. The word pit refers to destruction, and while the Old Testament is a little vague about this, the New Testament is very clear about the destruction from which we are redeemed.

2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 (NKJV)
⁸ in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,

I do not know about you, but I would call escaping this destruction a great benefit. Paul is describing eternal punishment in hell, something we should all want to avoid, and something that is altogether avoidable due to the steadfast love and mercy of God (Psalms 103:4).

Never forget the benefits of being a child of God. David refers to a few more here in Psalm 103, and the rest of the Bible speaks of many others as well. Our job is to remember them in good times and in bad times, allowing the thought of these wonderful benefits we receive to keep us strong in the Lord.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.