Celebrating God’s goodness
Daily Scripture
Psalm 103:1-6, 10-12
1 Let my whole being bless the LORD!
Let everything inside me bless his holy name!
2 Let my whole being bless the LORD
and never forget all his good deeds:
3 how God forgives all your sins,
heals all your sickness,
4 saves your life from the pit,
crowns you with faithful love and compassion,
5 and satisfies you with plenty of good things
so that your youth is made fresh like an eagle’s.
6 The LORD works righteousness;
does justice for all who are oppressed.
10 He doesn’t deal with us according to our sin
or repay us according to our wrongdoing,
11 because as high as heaven is above the earth,
that’s how large God’s faithful love is for those who honor him.
12 As far as east is from west—
that’s how far God has removed our sin from us.
Daily Reflection & Prayer
When the psalmist said, “Let my whole being bless the Lord,” he didn’t mean God should be grateful for what he had done, but instead expressed
gratitude for what God had done. Resurrection’s 35th anniversary celebration also focuses on God more than on us. “Grateful people have a particular linguistic style that uses the language of gifts, givers, blessings, blessed, fortune, fortunate, and abundance.” * We are grateful for all the good God has done through our church in the last 35 years.
- Just how high are the heavens above the earth? The psalmist might have imagined the dome of the heavens stretching 30, 50, even 100 miles above the earth, whereas we know that there are “light years” to the nearest stars. “That’s how large God’s faithful love is for those who honor him.” In what ways can you celebrate the vastness of God’s love for you and your world?
- Verses 3-4 strongly suggested that the psalmist had been through a hard time, perhaps a severe illness from which he could not deliver himself. What reasons for gratitude and praise has God helped you find in the wake of your painful experiences? How can you hold both honest grief free of denial and openness to God’s healing Spirit?
Prayer
O God, grow my comfort and enjoyment of language that recognizes you, and not my own merits, as the ultimate source of so much of the good in my life. Thank you for your many gifts to me. Amen.
GPS Insights
Justin Burnett
Justin Burnett, who serves as a Missions Engagement Program Director for Resurrection's Leawood location and is a certified candidate for ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church, wrote today's Insights. Justin graduated from Drury University with a bachelor's degree in emergency management and is currently a graduate student at Asbury Theological Seminary. In Justin's spare time, he enjoys preaching, nature, travel, film, games, and music.
© 2025 Resurrection: A United Methodist Church. All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
References
* From Robert Emmons, “Ten Ways to Become More Grateful.” November 17, 2010 from Greater Good Magazine. Click here for entire article.
