The secret to renewing our walk with God (Psalm 103)
Ps 103:1-22
The New Year is traditionally a time of stocktaking and making resolutions, but so often these peter out within a few weeks. Our determination for a renewed walk with God (more Bible reading, prayer, becoming more loving, humble, etc.) can also falter. How does lasting spiritual transformation happen? I am reminded of Jesus’ encounter with Simon the Pharisee, who condemned Him for allowing an immoral woman to pour perfume on His feet (Luke 7:36-39). Simon’s relationship with God was probably very moral with attention to even small details of right behaviour. Yet, this kind of piecemeal reining in of one’s habits did not translate into a generous love like the woman’s did. Right living, of course, is important and should not be belittled, but unless it is the response of a heart overflowing with love for God, it only becomes a source of pride. Jesus’ answer to the difference in the two people is that the woman experienced the undeserved love of God, which in turn awakened her love for the Lord (Luke 7:40-47).
Praising God
This is the point of the psalm’s exhortation to praise God (literally ‘bless’) and to recall His character shown in action (Ps 103:1-2). Doing so will make us aware of His amazing love and it is this that evokes a response leading to real change. When we forget God, we take the good things we have for granted or even think that our clever plans, abilities, foresight, and hard work achieved them all. Instead, the psalmist reminds us that we depend on God. The list of things God deals with are perhaps meant to be read not in general terms of disease and death (‘pit’ is a metaphor for the latter; Ps 103:3-4), but as a progression from sin to its consequences. Not all illness is caused by sin, but sin can do great damage to our physical, mental, emotional well-being (e.g. Ps 32:3-4; 38:3-8) until it destroys us. Thus, the point may be that God can deal with our sin and its harmful effects.[1] He is also generous in His love and compassion and in showering us with the good things of life (Ps 107:4-5).
God’s forgiveness
The psalm then alludes to God’s saving work from oppression in the exodus (Ps 103:6) and describes His character as ‘compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness’ (Exod 34:6; Ps 103:8). Revealed to Moses in the context of Israel’s betrayal in worshipping the golden calf at Sinai (Exod 32:1-8), it is a testimony to God’s tenacious love to His unfaithful people and of His undeserved grace and forgiveness (Ps 103:9-10). The lyrical description of such love, forgiveness and compassion cannot fail to move us when we think that our sin is beyond the pale (Ps 103:11-14). While human life is fleeting, God’s steadfast love is unending, and He will not abandon His commitment (‘righteousness’) to His people (Ps 103:17).[2] The psalm concludes with an affirmation of God’s sovereignty and kingship and a renewed call for all in heaven and on earth to praise Him (Ps 103:19-22).
Knowing God’s undeserved love
This psalm challenges us to meditate on God’s love as expressed in what He does for us. When we do, it will warm our heart and affect our whole being. This is not a call for mere sentimentality but a recognition that rational knowing is not enough. Unless we ‘taste and see’ (Ps 34:8) and experience the goodness of God, we will not be motivated to live for Him. While blessings and good things in life are certainly a testimony to God’s care and generosity, the psalm also highlights that the greatest expression of His love is the way He deals with our sin. This will only mean anything to us if we recognise the depth of our depravity, the way we betray God with our attitudes, words, and actions. This is less easy to see these days when the secular culture around has eliminated ‘sin’ from the vocabulary and we are increasingly uncomfortable with the language in the church as well. Yet, how can we truly appreciate God unless we recognise how undeserved His forgiveness is? May we come to know God’s amazing love in the coming year and be motivated to give our life over to His service.
[1] If the statement about God healing diseases and saving from death is used in a general sense, then it is an overstatement to emphasise God’s power in dealing with anything in life that goes wrong. While no one has experienced this fully as yet (no Christian is free of illness and we all die), one day God will put an end to all disease and to death. Given the psalm’s central focus on forgiveness, however, the idea that God deals with the progression from sin to its harmful effects makes better sense to me.
[2] God’s ‘righteousness’ means His right behaviour, which in His covenant relationship with Israel most often translates into His promises and commitment to look after and save His people. To ‘fear God’ (Ps 103:13, 17) means to revere Him and in OT language it is a shorthand for saying that someone is godly with a commitment to the covenant with God (note the explanation in Ps 103:18).
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