Day 12 Pursuit of His Presence

 Psalm 103:1-12 

1 BLESS (AFFECTIONATELY, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul; and all that is [deepest] within me, bless His holy name!

2 Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul, and forget not [one of] all His benefits–

3 Who forgives [every one of] all your iniquities, Who heals [each one of] all your diseases,

4 Who redeems your life from the pit and corruption, Who beautifies, dignifies, and crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercy;

5 Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle's [strong, overcoming, soaring]! [Isa. 40:31.]

6 The Lord executes righteousness and justice [not for me only, but] for all who are oppressed.

7 He made known His ways [of righteousness and justice] to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.

8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy and loving-kindness. [James 5:11.]

9 He will not always chide or be contending, neither will He keep His anger forever or hold a grudge.

10 He has not dealt with us after our sins nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great are His mercy and loving-kindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him.

12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Devotional

Don’t Just Open the Door—Take It Off the Hinges

by Gloria Copeland

“We have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand....” Romans 5:2
When people came to Jesus and asked, “What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” (John 6:28-29). All through the Old Testament, every mighty exploit that was done, every time the mercy of God flooded into a situation, every time a miracle was performed, someone had to have faith. Someone had to believe God enough to act on His Word and open the door.
That’s what happened to me the day I was born again. I read that scripture in Matthew 6:26 that God cares for the birds of the air, and faith came into my heart. I didn’t know anything about the new birth, yet when I spoke that faith out, I opened the door just a crack and God’s mercy flooded my heart and changed it forever.
The same thing is true today. However wide you open that door of faith is how much of God’s mercy and goodness will flow into your life. He’ll fill up every inch you’ll give Him.
I’m telling you, He’s ready. He is eagerly yearning to bless you. He is hovering over you in mercy. He has an ocean full of salvation benefits and He’s longing to pour them out on you.
When I say salvation, I’m not just talking about a ticket to heaven. Salvation denotes deliverance. From what? Oppression, poverty, sickness, danger, fear—anything from which you need to be delivered!
Salvation also means “soundness, protection, liberty, health and restoration.” Glory to God!
Psalm 68:19 says God daily loads us with benefits of salvation. When you wake up in the morning, you ought to start the day thanking God for the salvation that’s going to happen to you today. You ought to start by opening the door of faith. And don’t just open it a crack—take it off the hinges!
Say, “Lord, here I am. Pour it on me!”
That’s what Ken and I did. We didn’t just ease into this. Once we heard it, we jumped into it with both feet. And we’ve never stopped!
Speak the Word
“I have access by faith into the grace of God.” —Romans 5:2
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