Forget Not All His Benefits

Almost all of us would have a special feeling to receive something new, be it small or big, irrespective of our age. New dress brightens our looks, new paint brightens the house, new toys brighten our face, new assignments brighten our mood and of course new beginnings brighten up our life. Who does not like something new?

A new year also is a much anticipated time that gives us yet again a chance to wipe out our past failures and to start afresh, sometimes with well-planned resolutions or sometimes even without. How important are the things of old in a time that gives us access to new beginnings? Old things might slowly lose value when we look forward to the “hopeful henceforth”.

I have often heard people saying leave all the past and live in the present making the best use of it. As much as it is true, I realised how things of old carry a memory that is strong.

I am sure most of us would have experienced a laptop failure where old photos that carry precious memories are lost. My friend who once worked in customer support shared his painful interactions of working with people who were extremely broken due to system breakdowns.

If the memories we create has such a huge impact, how much more would it have if our memories of benefits received from God in the past are lost? The good times, the opportunities, the experiences, the blessings, and the people around were meticulously planned for us to shape us and to bring us thus far.

We even see animals remembering their rescuers after a long gap and expressing their gratitude and love. While we, being rescued from danger, near-death experiences in day to day life tend to forget giving thanks for all that has been granted to us in the past.

The Bible says in Psalm 103:1,2, “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”

He has given us the gift of life, both physical and spiritual to live a life of goodness with a future that is filled with hope. God says in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

As we begin a new year with new expectations, may God grant us a heart that will help us cherish all the benefits received from Him without forgetting and praising His Holy name.

May we experience a closer walk with God this year to be Nourished, Enlightened and Wakened, thus being NEW?