September 28, 2025 | Zach Schlegel
Passage: Psalms 103:1-22
As you look at this Psalm, notice that it begins and ends the same way - “Bless the Lord, O my soul.” The aim is that when you leave this place today, that you bless the Lord. Does that seem strange to you? Why would He call His people to bless Him? Think of it this way… Someone gives you a gift and you offer some back to them. We give back a portion of what God has given in joyful gratitude.
The psalmist starts out by preaching to himself, shaking off his apathy and gloom. He uses his mind and memory to kindle his emotions. He was slow and reluctant to praise the Lord for some reason. Does praising God and giving Him thanks ever feel like a chore to you? Is your heart ever sleepy or sluggish to give God praise? We often forget the benefits of God. (Vs. 2) This kind of forgetfulness is not absent-minded forgetfulness. It is a willful forgetting or ignoring of His benefits which leaves us feeling ungrateful or even entitled.
There are many reasons we can begin to feel this way - trials, pride, etc. Even prosperity can make us forget. Moses warned the Israelites about being forgetful. (Deuteronomy 4:9) Yet is did happened to the Israelites, and it can happen to you as well. Do you see God’s kindness as something you deserve? When bad things come your way, do you grumble and ask “why?” This leads to pride and ungratefulness, and life turns miserable. How do you get out of this misery of being ungrateful? How do we cultivate joy and gratitude that we bless the Lord regardless of circumstances.
Sermon Outline
1. Rehearse your “then” and your “now.” Vs. 1-5
2. Rehearse what God has done. Vs. 6-18
3. Recall the sovereignty of God. Vs. 19-22
Series Information
