I wrote this little note in my Bible months, maybe years, ago. Psalm 103 is easily one of my favorite Psalms for this reason.
Half the Psalm is spent outlining the beautiful reasons my soul has to bless the Lord, and the other half is spent reminding me that I’m temporal, but He’s eternal.
Verse 14, one of the greatest encouragements I’ve found in scripture, says:
“For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.”
God knows. He knows the state of man. He knows the state of me, personally. He knows how I fall in this life. He knows that I’m frail and in need of Him. He knows I’m “but dust.”
He also knows He’s enough to sustain this dust-like frame of mine.
Because God knows these things, knew them before I took a breath, I can be real with Him. I can lay out the reality of my heart before Him without hesitation.
His lovingkindness stood before and beyond the frailty that is me. Being authentic in the midst of my struggle won't shake Him, or His love.
And when my soul understands that, how can it not long to bless the Lord?
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; >>> Who pardons all your iniquities >>> Who heals your diseases >>> Who redeems your life from the pit...”
~ Alyssa