Bless = give honor and benefit

I. We Bless God by proclaiming the benefits we’ve experienced

1  Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2  Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:

3  Who forgives all your iniquities, {Ex 34:7}

    Who heals all your diseases, {Dt 29:22}

4  Who redeems your life from destruction,

    Who crowns (surrounds) you with loyal love and tender mercies, 

5  Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. {Isa 40:31 those who wait on the LORD}

6  The LORD executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed
 

A. Our greatest emotional problems arise from difficulties in receiving (guilt) and giving (bitterness) forgiveness and grace.

A1. When we fail to own our guilt, we blame others for our problems (see-saw) and thus fail to confess our sin and receive forgiveness

1Jn 1:9  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

A2. We fail to own our guilt through short=sighted ignorance, or embracing lies due to fragile self-worth and pride     

Jas 4:6  But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."

A3. We can’t pass on to others what we do not possess ourselves 1Co 4:7 what do you have that you did not receive?

Mt 10:8  Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

2Ti 2:2 things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also

B. God fulfills our desires according to His perfect timetable

Isa 30:18  the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you; and therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him

Ps 145:16  You open Your hand And satisfy the desire of every living thing.   Ps 107:9  For He satisfies the longing soul

B1. God gives what’s best when it’s best   Rm 12:1-2 sacrifice…transformed…good, acceptable and perfect will of God

B2. God’s goal is an intimate dependent relationship (which is what’s best for us) so we need to focus on the Giver vs gift  Jn15:4 Abide in Me, & I in you…

Ps 84:11  the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good [thing] will He withhold From those who walk uprightly

II. We Bless God by living according to His Ways

A.  Our View of God and ourselves  (and the relationship between the two) must be based on Revelation, not speculation

7 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. 8  The LORD is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. 9  He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. 10  He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities.

B.  God’s benefits are given exclusively to those who fear Him and loyally obey Him     (love=obey Jn 14:15, 21)

11  For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;  {Gen 32:11 tremble; Dt 20:8 fainthearted}

12  As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. 13  As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him.   14 For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. 15  As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. 16  For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, And its place remembers it no more.

17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him,  and His righteousness to children’s children,

18  To such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them.     Pr 11:20 blameless = His delight cx Gen 6:6

III. We Bless God by exhorting others to experience His Goodness

19  The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all. 20  Bless the LORD, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word. 21  Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, you ministers of His, who do His pleasure. 22  Bless the LORD, all His works, in all places of His dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!

Questions for Discussion/Reflection/Response:

1. Why does God bestow benefits upon us? Which do you most value? Is there any way we can increase or decrease the benefits we get?

2. What’s the difference between forgiving someone and “fellowshipping” with them? Can you forgive an unrepentant offender?

3. By your actions can you cause God delight or grief? On what basis does He bless or curse His people? How can you be blessed?

4. What does someone look like who is Biblically fearing God? How about someone who doesn’t fear God? Are love and fear incompatible?

5. How many of God’s blessings (above) will you experience this week? What can you do to up that number? What will be your response?