Put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ. (Philemon 1:6)

God is good! And He has good things in store for you! Paul encourages us to both understand – comprehend and appreciate – all the good things God has provided for us as well as to fully and thoroughly experience each of those good things!

David lists some of those good things in the Psalm 103 (see below). Let’s talk a look at the list:

1. God forgives my sins. You might be thinking, “Well, God might be willing to forgive David, but I doubt He’d be willing to forgive me! You don’t know what I’ve done!” Consider this, my friend:  David committed a few heinous crimes such as adultery and murder. Unforgivable? From a human point of view, yes, but from God’s point of view, no one is beyond redemption once they face their sins, own up, and repent with their whole hearts. This is the Good News!
2. He heals all my diseases. God doesn’t make people sick, rather, like a good Father, He makes people better! He promises us healing. True, we don’t always receive the gifts He sends; we don’t know why they sometimes don’t arrive, but we know He is good and always will be! He heals diseases. All of them, not just some! God is a healer.
3. He redeems me from death. He purchased my life so I wouldn’t have to die spiritually. I was a slave to my unhappy way of life, my sin and despair, and God bought me from out of that wretched place.
4. He crowns me with love and tender mercies. After He has bought me back from slavery, He made me like royalty. I am beloved and loved tenderly and mercifully.
5. He fills my life with good things. Not only am I set free from despair, I can actually experience a good life, filled with love, joy and peace!
6. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s. I can experience renewed vitality and vigor in life. Rather than declining with age, like excellent wine, I am aging well!

Are good things alive and well in your life? If you’re like me, there are some gaps in the good things category. Let’s pray for the trajectory to shift, that we become aware of those gaps and pray that God’s will would be accomplished in our lives:  namely, that we would experience the good things Jesus died to give us! Read and declare Psalm 103 over your own life, praying this plain and simple prayer for Good Things!

Father,

Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.
He forgives all my sins
and heals all my diseases.
He redeems me from death
and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
He fills my life with good things.
My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!

Thank you for all these good things that are operating in my life today! Help me to access each Good Thing by faith!

In Jesus’ Name

Amen

Photo credit: Lynn ~ Off and On via Foter.com / CC BY-ND