“Bless the LORD, O my soul—and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name.” Psalm 103:1
There’s nothing that makes Him happier than this.
Most of the time we talk about how the Lord has blessed us. We share of his material, tangible blessings and thank Him for those times when He touched us in a special way. And, there are other times when we were between a rock-and-a-hard place, not knowing what we were going to do—and, suddenly, He showed up, making a way where there seemed to be no way.
The question, then, is “How do we bless the Lord, Who holds everything that is in the hollow of His Hand?”
Though a seemingly difficult question, the answer is fairly simple: by “loving Him with all our heart, mind and soul and our neighbor as ourselves” (Dt. 6:5; Mt. 22:37-39).
Think about it:
What blesses you as a parent—the gifts your children give you on special occasions or their willing obedience to you? You already know the answer, don’t you?
It’s their ready obedience that’s given without complaint or constraint. That’s what brings a smile to your face and fills your heart to overflowing with joy.
And, the same is true with God, the Father.
He LOVES it when we “serve Him with gladness, thanksgiving and praise in our hearts” (Ps. 100:2, 4). This lets Him (and others) know that we do what we do with delight, not drudgery or disdain. How it grieves Him when we profess to know Him but live with a downcast look or always murmuring and complaining like the Israelites did in the wilderness.
Yes, if we want to “Bless the LORD,” it has to be“with all that is within Me:” my heart, my mind, my dreams, my aspirations, my deepest desires, etc. We can ill-afford to harbor resentment or unforgiveness within us—for those wound Him, not bless Him.
Therefore, today is the Day to “bless the LORD.”
Make that your #1 goal today and see if your day doesn’t go better. To do this, strive to “forget not any of His benefits” (Ps. 103:2). Remember how He has “forgiven all your iniquities and healed you of all your diseases” (v.3). Tell others how He has “redeemed your life from destruction and crowned you with loving-kindness and tender Mercies” (v.4). Praise Him aloud for “satisfying your mouth with good things” (v.5) and how He is “merciful, gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in Mercy” (v.8).
In so doing you’ll find yourself being renewed in both heart and mind—for praise and thanksgiving glorify the One by Whose Name you are called. This will also draw others attention to Him, causing them to think how He is “very great and clothed with Honor and Majesty” (Ps. 104:1).
So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to bless the Lord! Why not start by shouting“Hallelujah! Praise the LORD!” right now? Glory!! Amen and amen.