The Light's Fantastic

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and all that is within me, bless His holy name.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and forget none of His benefits;

Who pardons all your iniquities,

Who heals all your diseases;

Who redeems your life from the pit,

Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;

Who satisfies your years with good things,

So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

Psalm 103:1-5

God--Our Reason to Sing

 A new year begins and we are conditioned to stop and take stock of where we are headed. 

 First, let us see where and how we have journeyed to this point:

 Our God has blessed us with benefits -- 

 He has forgiven us for our shortfallings. Was there strife this past year? He has pardoned us and given us the tools for making it right. Because of His forgiveness, we can forgive others and find healing for our relationships.

 He heals our diseases. Our bodies feel time passing on -- germs come and go -- but God gives us strength. He heals us inside and out.

 He redeems us from the pit. Joseph knew what that meant. Sometimes we find ourselves disparing: our focus slips to the darkness around us instead of the light God is sending each and every day. His Light in Christ Jesus fills us with hope and strength to move on.

 Or as the psalmist said, "Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion."

 And since He is satisfying our years with good things, renewing our youth like the eagle, let us rejoice!

 Now we can look ahead and start making goals for the journey ahead.