"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 His benefits." Ps 103:1:2
It is so easy, and I so quickly shift into introspection, Turning my eyes on to myself and my circumstance is often times very bleak. Then trying to "buck up" and continue to be cheerful and pressing on. It gets exhausting really fast. Even praying from that place does not refresh in the same way. Everything remains gloomy, enjoyment of any sort never lasts long.
But turning my eyes to Jesus, filling my heart and mind with His wonderfulness, lifting my heart, lifting my voice and thoughts in praise and adoration, this frees me from the bondage of introspection. Truly feeling the greatness of God and allowing my heart to be moved to awe and wonder is the best and only remedy for self focused living (which end result is some form of depression.) There is nothing else we can do but look to Him! Thinking deeply on his glory and majesty, letting our hearts rejoice once again in the miracle that is Jesus Christ.
"He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us for our iniquities." Ps 103:10
We have not received what we deserve. God had mercy on us, furthermore, we have received what we do not deserve, salvation.
"The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love." Ps 145:8
How great, how rich is that love! "That while we were still sinners Christ died for us." Rom 5:8
We were still enemies of God when Jesus Christ came down to earth, more humble than anyone has ever been, lived a sinless life and yet suffered as one who had sinned greatly. Not only did he suffer physically, but far worse, he took upon himself the wrath of God, which the Bible says was being stored up against us. He took the punishment that we deserved, so that we could become the righteousness of God. (2 Cor 5:2)
It doesn't matter who you are, or how difficult your life is right now, that is the greatest news anyone could ever hear, the greatest gift anyone could ever receive! That should give us reason to rejoice every single day!
"As high as the heavens above the earth, so great us his steadfast love toward those who fear him, as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us." Ps 103:11
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