BLESS THE LORD!
Today’s Reading: Psalms 103
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Heading south in the Kidron Valley you come to the Pillar of Absalom or Absolom’s Monument. 2 Samuel 18:18 tells us that, “Absalom in his life time set up a pillar for himself…..he called the pillar after his own name, and to this day it is called Absalom’s monument.” The Kidron Valley, also known as the King’s Valley, is located between the eastern walls of Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Psalm 103:15-16
As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
And its place remembers it no more.
We remember Prince Absalom, son of King David, who committed treason in trying to overthrow his father’s reign in Israel. Absolom’s untimely and violent death may have been in David’s mind when he penned the words of today’s reading. David grieved so very deeply over the death of his son (read 2 Samuel 18:9-33). Paul preached in the Antioch synagogue telling all that God said, “I have found David, the son of Jessie, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.” The Apostle went on to say, “From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Saviour – Jesus!” (Acts 13:22-23).
David had reason to grieve, but he ordered his soul to “BLESS THE LORD!” Six times in today’s reading these words appear. What does it mean to “BLESS”? It means that we are to make someone joyful! Let us ask ourselves this question: Does the smile of God’s approval rest upon our lives? My father often prayed at our family altar, “May the smile of Your approval be on our lives this day and always.” If we don’t have the assurance that God is blessed by our lives, we need to repent, ask forgiveness, and then look up again. Look for His joy to be revealed. Our souls will know when God is blessed!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, may the smile of Your approval be upon our lives this day and always. I pray that my soul will BLESS YOU, LORD GOD! Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Bob Code, a man whom my mother led to Christ, along with his wife and daughter, would often say, “Bless the Lord!” I was about 13 years old then and I questioned how Mr. Code could bless God. I thought, “God is the One who does the blessing.” And God does bless us in awesome ways, but I’ve learned that blessing is a two-way street. God blesses us and we bless Him! Amen!
I’ve often read our key verses while standing at a graveside. I’ve just read again the verses just before, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear [respect, awe, worship] Him. For He knows our frame; that we are dust” (Psalm 103:12-14).
Yours for being blessed and for blessing God and all with whom we come into contact!
David
The view from behind Absalom’s Monument. His pillar is sculpted out of the bedrock in the valley below the city walls. Tourists don’t usually see the sculpture from this angle. Our photographer, my son, David Reynold, was determined to get the best pictures for these blogs. Thank you, my son!
Praying David’s prayer-amen! We praise You, our Heavenly King, our Lord most high, our Prince of Peace! We glorify You for our very being–all we are, all we have become, and all we will grow to be. Whom have we in heaven but You? For there is none upon earth that we desire more than You, Lord. Our flesh and our hearts may fail. But God is the strength of our hearts and our portions forever!!! Wishing fellow saints a most blessed day in the Lord!
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. —2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV
Bless the Lord Oh My Soul / 10,000 Reasons / Matt Redman/ ft. Steven Samuel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mz5eIRcg8vI
Amen
October 23 Echoes of Eternity: Listening to the Father, Helms
Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters.
Isaiah 55:1
“By streams of living water, I lead you, My child. Thirsty and faint, you will find refreshment here. I am that water which gives new life, renewed vigor and fresh beauty to your soul. The waters of comfort are here. The cleansing of sin is here. Do not fear to see and recognize My uses of material water to convey the blessing of living water. Stoop down, and drink, and live.”
I love this scriptural song. It is sung so well by this child. Thanks Beverlee.
You are most welcome, Doreen. God certainly has gifted this young man. I missed the last name, though. His full name is: Steven Samuel Devassy
Here he is, this past summer, which fits perfectly with today’s Psalm:
THANK YOU LORD | STEVEN SAMUEL DEVASSY|
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kx0fJLsjcgE
Dear Lord God, thank You for this day; for your goodness and for who You are. Help us never forget your grace and mercy and that You are Truth itself! Help all your children to come into your presence today with thanksgiving. We need and ask for your strength, courage, wisdom and compassion. We also pray for our leaders, that You give them wisdom and guidance in the decisions they make. In Jesus’s name, amen
Amen!
Thank you for posting your prayers. You have no idea how much I look forward to praying them and agreeing with you.
Amen
Amen to Rob and .Nan!!
Amen, Rob!
Wow,two great examples of the Lord being blessed along with us.The joy-of-the-Lord is also on his face as he sings.Thanks for sharing,ladies.
I can’t help but feel sorrow with David.Children are God’s second best blessing on us.A king,whether above or down here,should love his child more than life.Yall be blessed
. Praise
Let us praise Him with every day,
Let us praise Him in our sleep,
Let unceasing praise convey
The harvest our praises reap.
Unending love is always ours,
So unending praise is owed,
Then His word of truth empowers
From the Spirit He bestowed.
He made it all,it’s just for us
And all are blessed by His love,
Then He sent our Lord Jesus
To show the pathway above.
So only truth bespeak His praise,
Let not hope flee from sight,
Thus,let us dance and voices raise,
To soak in His eternal Light.
G W(Bill) Marshall / 24 Feb, 2014
Tomorrow is not promised to any,
But taken for granted by the many,
We forget Who is the mighty Master
And sail blindly into our own disaster.
G W Marshall / 28-Nov-13
Amen Bill!
Psalms 103 verse 1 talks about blessing the Lord oh my soul again it is a song that I sang at church in my youth days some of you might recognize the words I can only speak the words I can’t the song is entitled bless the Lord and here are the words bless the Lord oh my soul bless the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me bless His holy name and again bless the Lord oh my soul bless the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me bless his holy name amen Saints
That’s one of my favourite hymns.
Yes, we sang that song or chorus at our church as well. Blessings on all.