A way to look at the past year

1Praise the Lord, my soul;

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

2Praise the Lord, my soul,

and forget not all his benefits—

3who forgives all your sins 

and heals all your diseases,

4who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

5who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6The Lord works righteousness

and justice for all the oppressed.

7He made known his ways to Moses,

his deeds to the people of Israel:

8The Lord is compassionate and gracious,

slow to anger, abounding in love.

9He will not always accuse,

nor will he harbor his anger forever;

10he does not treat us as our sins deserve

or repay us according to our iniquities.

11For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his love for those who fear him;

12as far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

13As a father has compassion on his children,

so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; (Psalm 103-1-13)

Thoughts: This Psalm reminds us to reflect on the blessings of God- forget not His benefits.  He forgives us- which is a wonderful benefit to remember at the end of a year.  He redeems us from the pit.  The pit are the pitfalls that we have along the way- that would make us fall.  The Lord gets us out of them- pulling us up- redeeming us back.  Instead God crowns us with love. compassion, and good things so that we feel young and renewed.  He does not treat us as we deserve- but He is gracious.  Let us remember this as we end 2016 and go into a new year. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your many benefits.