Tuesday, March 22

A benefit package that beats them all 

Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 

Psalm 103:2-5 

What would you think if I told you there was a benefit package that beats anything you have ever seen? Over the last few years, I have heard people talk about shrinking benefit packages. In the good ol’ days, corporations and organizations offered decent salaries and good benefits that kept people happy. Good benefits were the norm. Today, people say, “Where is the loyalty?” Businesses struggle to maintain a sense of allegiance with an unpredictable economy. There are days when I see more loyalty with grocery-store shopping programs. We long for the days when our hard work guaranteed job security and our faith-fulness was appreciated.

In one of my favorite scriptures, David encourages us to remember that in our journey with God, there are benefits.

After enduring some difficult times, David is led to share what he believes is God’s message and pledge to us. Unlike the lukewarm promises of today, God guarantees us unlimited assurances about what we can expect in this relationship.

Forgiveness of sins, every single time. No judgement and no condemnation afterward. The power to heal all that is not well with you — physically, emotionally, and spiritually. God has paid to keep us from an eternity in Hell (not a popular discussion, but the truth). He showers us with love and com-passion, regardless of who we are or where we come from. And God goes a step further. He will fulfill our needs with good things for through these promises, our youth is always renewed.

Sign me up!

Dear God, my desire is to serve and worship You freely. I praise You for making me Your own and sharing the promis-es of heaven with me. I embrace all that You desire for me and I remain committed to Your ministry. 

Joanna Smith