Point of Grace Online Worship 8.23.20

Sermon Notes - “Psalms – Ancient Prayers for Unprecedented Times! - Psalm 103”

Psalm 103

1 Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—

We “Forget NOT” His Benefits To Benefit from His Benefits

The Lord 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Psalmists is scaling a mountain of God’s Goodness – His Benefits!

6 The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. 7 He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel: 8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

The removal of all that blocks our relationship with Him are His Premiere Benefits

13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; 14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. 15 The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; 16 the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. 17 But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children— 18 with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.

God knows our weaknesses and loves us anyway.

And now the Psalmist recruits all of heaven to join in on the praise!

19 The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. 20 Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. 21 Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. 22 Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the Lord, my soul.

We “Forget NOT” His Benefits To Benefit from His Benefits

Homework: Read and pray Psalm 103 every day this week! (Hint: Follow the reading schedule in the notes below.)

Join in on “After Thoughts” Thursday at 7 pm – Join in through Facebook Live or go to www.pog.church/live to view.

Afterthoughts is a live interactive internet conversation about the topic of this week’s sermon. We would love for you to join in to make your contribution to the conversation, share your thoughts and ask your question.

Resources for this Week

These resources which will help you “Pray Psalm 103” this week.

The Scripture Reading schedule for this week is somewhat unique. Our goal is to meditate on Psalm 103 all week. I encourage you to read the entire Psalm every day and then take some additional focus time to reread and meditate on just a few verses each day. Repetition is your friend. Remember you are not necessarily looking for new information from the Psalm once you understand it. Repeatedly returning to the Psalm each day allows the Holy Spirit to use the Psalm to minister to you, to speak to you, to reveal you to you, and God to you. These Psalms are a great opportunity to begin journaling if you do not. Making written note of what God brings to your mind is a great way to begin journaling. I don’t do it every day but it is always a blessing when I do. If the schedule below is helpful, great, use it. If not, then work through the Psalm at your own pace.

Mon – Psalm 103… with a special emphasis on vs. 1-2 Tue – Psalm 103 … with a special emphasis on vs. 3-6 Wed – Psalm 103 … with a special emphasis on vs. 7-12 Thu – Psalm 103 … with a special emphasis on vs. 13-18 Fri – Psalm 103 … with a special emphasis on vs. 19-22 Sat - Psalm 103 … in addition look at Psalm 104 which is a sister Psalm. Whereas Psalm 103 praises God for His salvation and redemption Psalm 104 using parallel language praising God for His creation.

Meditation Hints:

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word! I rest in You!”

Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved.

Recommended Titles and Resources

Songs of Jesus by Timothy Keller excellent daily devotional based on the Psalms

“Soul-keeping: Caring for the most important part of you.” – John Ortberg

“Get Your Life Back” by John Eldredge

Restoration Year by John Eldredge – A 365 Day Devotional - These daily devotions are excellent encouragement to live by the Spirit each day.

Check out bibleproject.com. Look for their videos on the Psalms.

The “One Minute Pause” App by Ransomed Heart (use is multiple times every day)

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young (Devotional Book)