Have you ever forgotten anything? Of course we all have! I have forgotten where I put my car keys, my glasses, my phone, a friends name or something just as embarrassing. We all forget things. Most of the time forgetting is simply an inconvenience but other times, when we are late and can’t find our car keys it seems like a catastrophe. Then there are those other times like the day I came home from grocery shopping, took all the groceries into the house, closed the garage door, put everything away and just knew I had forgotten something.…my 2 year old son was still in the car!!! 

Forgetting things can cause us embarrassment, frustration and sometimes put us in a state of panic. However God warns us never to forget some things that are vitally important. 

Psalm 103:2-5n (AMPC)

2 Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul, and forget not [one of] all His benefits—

3 Who forgives [every one of] all your iniquities, Who heals [each one of] all your diseases,

4 Who redeems your life from the pit and corruption, Who beautifies, dignifies, and crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercy;

5 Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle’s [strong, overcoming, soaring]!

We are to praise God with our whole soul:, our mind, our emotions and our will as we remember all of His benefits. David, the author of  this psalm, addresses just a few. He reminds us that God forgives each and everyone of our transgressions and sins. The enemy always wants to keep us in a place of condemnation and it is easy to do. We make mistakes, sometimes the same ones over and over again. Yet God forgives us each time, for all time. Reminding ourselves of this benefit destroys all sense of shame and guilt. 

1 John 1:9 (AMPC)

9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].

We must remind ourselves that one of the benefits of being in a covenant relationship with God is that He promises to heal all of our diseases. I know this includes all the physical diseases that may try to make us sick as well as the emotional unrest that creates a lack of ease or peace. 

Isaiah 53:4-5 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

4 Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment], yet we [ignorantly] considered Him stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God [as if with leprosy].

5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.

Psalm 107:20

He sends forth His word and heals them and rescues them from the pit and destruction.

Psalm 147:3

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds [curing their pains and their sorrows].

David tells us not to forget to praise God for the fact that we are redeemed, bought back, no longer under Satan’s control. He tells us to remember that it is God who beautifies us. God who dignifies us. God who crowns us with lovingkindness and tender mercy! When I look in the mirror I need to remind myself that He is making me beautiful. He is giving me dignity, even as I grow older. God does not stop his beauty regime in our lives! 

One of the great benefits of our relationship with almighty God is that our personal necessity in our current situation will be satisfied with good. Oh how I need to remember this one! Dave and I are praying about a move closer to our boys and grandkids. I have to keep reminding myself that He will guide and provide the right move at the right time. This takes all the stress out of concern over making a mistake. When it is necessary He will provide all that we need and it will be good!  Regardless of our age, our youth will be renewed as He takes care of our needs. We will be strong and will soar. This week as we move out of a second home we have enjoyed for the last 15 years I am claiming that strength and vitality!  

David tells us to never forget and to Praise God for the fact that we are forgiven and healed. When shame and guilt try to cripple you, remind yourself you are forgiven. Praise God right then.   When a negative diagnosis comes your way or an attack hits your body and fear comes in to steal your faith, remind yourself that you are healed, that it is a benefit of your covenant relationship with God and praise Him. God inhabits the praises of His people and where His presence is there is no room for the enemy to gain a foothold

It is so easy to forget the benefits of being in covenant relationship with God. In my life I have to practice what I remember  from Psalm 1: 

Psalm 1 (AMP)

1 

[a]Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked [following their advice and example],

Nor stand in the path of sinners,

Nor sit [down to rest] in the seat of [b]scoffers (ridiculers).

2 

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And on His law [His precepts and teachings] he [habitually] meditates day and night.

3 

And he will be like a tree firmly planted [and fed] by streams of water,

Which yields its fruit in its season;

Its leaf does not wither;

And in whatever he does, he prospers [and comes to maturity].

A life marked by praise and a great memory for the benefits that God promises requires we keep the word in front of us morning and night. Listen to those podcasts! Read the word and meditate on it. Make it a habit to study every day! 

Then we are promised to be like great fruitful trees, with deep roots and we simply will not be shaken.