Turn The Tables!

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 all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies.
Psalm 103:1-4

I was sitting alone in my car one day as I read this set of scriptures. Suddenly, I began to understand its meaning in an entirely different light than I had before.  David was speaking these very words to himself.  It wasn't that he was voluntarily praising God, he was giving a command to his flesh; his humanness; his mind, will, and emotions.  He was speaking to his own soul saying, "Whether you feel like it or not, whether things are going well or not--YOU bless the Lord with everything that is in you!  Don't forget the things that God has done for you; how he forgave your sins, healed you when you were sick, and protected you in dangerous situations. He continues to show you kindness and mercy, even until this day!"

Often, we get caught up in the routine of life and we begin to focus on what's not happening for us and what's not going our way.  When our focus is not on God, it's easier to become self-centered and inward focused.  I believe David, when writing this, may have been tempted to fall into this same trap, but decided to turn the tables by commanding his soul to praise God and to remember what the Lord had done for Him.

As I read these scriptures that day in my car, I took on the same mindset and made the devil out of a liar by giving God the honor and recognition He is due for what He has done, and continues to do in my life!  You can decide to do the same today.  And in turn, your spirit will be encouraged, you will have peace of mind, and know what it feels like to walk in victory!