Back to title page. "God's Benefit Package"

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1 ï» Back to title page "God's Benefit Package" (Psalm 103:1-5) Text Verse: "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." (Psalm 103:2) Psalm 103 could easily be called "David's Hallelujah Chorus." It is a psalm of beauty and praise for the LORD. There are twenty-two verses in this psalm and twenty-two letters in the Hebrew alphabet. Bible believers have called this psalm an "envelope psalm." It ends in exactly the same way as it begins. The subject matter is enveloped between the opening and closing words: "Bless the LORD, O my soul." Anytime we have trouble praising the Lord; we should turn to this psalm and recite these words of praise back to Him! The second verse of this psalm reminds us to "forget not all His benefits." A benefit is defined as "an act of kindness" or an "advantage." (N. Webster) Most believers are not aware of just how many rich blessings are included in God's Benefit Package. The good Lord not only gives His people the benefit of eternal salvation, but He loads us with multiple blessings on a daily basis! "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah." (Psalm 68:19) The benefits of working a job here on earth can never compare to the benefits of serving the Lord Jesus Christ. The payments offered us in a place of worldly business are not worthy to be compared to the rich

2 blessings included in God's Benefit Package. In the eyes of this world, God's children appear to be poor and struggling at times. However, we are rich beyond measure with the blessings of God. God's people truly are "loaded." "What shall I render unto the LORD for all His benefits toward me?" (Psalm 116:12) It is not possible for any child of God to render enough service to the Lord that would equal compensation for all His benefits. Millions of years of service would not amount to one ounce of payment for God's blessings. The Lord has chosen to bless His people out of His abundant love and amazing grace. The best that a believer can offer God in return is a life of praise and thanksgiving! The Psalm writer counts off five bountiful blessings that are included in God's Benefit Package for His people. These benefits are recorded in the first five verses of our text in Psalm 103. We shall take a brief look at just a few of the gifts enclosed in God's Benefit Package. I. Coverage for our Sins "Who forgiveth all thine iniquities" (Psalm 103:3) A. The Price has been Paid! "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." (I Corinthians 6:20) B. The Penalty has been Pardoned! "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us." (Psalm 103:12)

3 "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (John 1:29) "And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross." (Colossians 2:13-14) II. A Cure for our Sicknesses "Who healeth all thy diseases" (Psalm 103:3) A. Healing from our Sins "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5) "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." (I Peter 2:24) B. Healing for our Spirit "He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions." (Psalm 107:20) *The words of God are a powerful medicine for a broken spirit! III. Compensation for our Souls

4 "Who redeemeth thy life from destruction" (Psalm 103:4) A. Sin had Ruined Us! "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." (Romans 5:12) "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23) B. The Saviour has Redeemed Us! "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:24) "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:14) IV. A Crown for our Service "Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies" (Psalm 103:4) A. The Crown speaks of Royalty. "Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." (Galatians 4:7) B. The Crown speaks of Riches. "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his

5 poverty might be rich." (II Corinthians 8:9) V. Complete Satisfaction "Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things" (Psalm 103:5) A. Provision for the Mouth "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." (Psalm 37:25) "For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills." (Psalm 50:10) "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19) *The good Lord has promised to take care of His people. He will not allow one of His children to starve, even during a famine! His provision is included in His Benefit Package for His people. B. Peace for the Mind "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength." (Isaiah 26:3-4) "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)

6 *The benefit packages offered to man through the employers of this world may offer things to satisfy the flesh. Unfortunately, these earthly plans have no ability to supply the great need of man's heart: inner peace. Even the pleasures of sin itself cannot provide a lasting peace in the soul of man. However, the Lord Jesus Christ included peace in His Benefit Package for His people. He supplies us with a peace that the world cannot give nor take away. His peace is an everlasting consolation for His people. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27) CONCLUSION: All of the blessings listed in our text, plus many more, are available in God's Benefit Package. This package cannot be earned or acquired through man's work or religious activities. No sinner has ever been found worthy of earning the abundant blessings of God. His Benefit Package is given to unworthy sinners as a direct result of His free and sovereign grace. Let us who have received these rich blessings continually offer thanksgiving and praise unto His holy Name! "BLESS the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name." (Psalm 103:1) Evangelist Jeremiah Dixon