August 15 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Psalm 103:1–13

Devotional

Nobody has a perfect memory. At times we realize to our shock and sorrow how forgetful we can be. Those who rely on their memory will be put to shame. There is also a guilty forgetfulness. For instance, we can forget a kindness that someone showed to us. That is at the same time ungratefulness.

The word “to thank” is derived from the verb “to think.” To thank actually means to think, that is to think of the benefits received. To forget means you do not think of these benefits. Forgetfulness is unthankfulness, especially to God, the Giver, who does not cease to do well to people who never stop sinning. This puts us to shame.

The corrupt human heart is very soon forgetful, not when it concerns the good he himself has done, but when it refers to the good he has received. He is not forgetful regarding afflictions, but he easily forgets the blessings. He writes the blessings in sand and the hardships he carves in marble. We do not forget to pray when we are in need. We promise to give thanks when deliverance comes. But we respond as nine of the ten lepers did after they were healed. They forgot to give thanks. It is clear, then, that most people only desire a God to help in emergencies. Our forgetfulness in giving thanks to a righteous God is at the same time a lack of awareness. We are not aware that we deserve judgment. We have no rights before God. Therefore, everything that we receive beyond death is a work of grace.

God’s Word teaches us to consider what we receive in relation to who we are. We should count our blessings among our huge pile of sins. We have two mountains side by side. One mountain contains the mercies of God and the other contains all of our own filth. If you fail to see the one, you will not see the other either. But when you see both, you will also see that between them lies the wonder of God’s grace.

That is why we must be warned of the great sin of forgetfulness. This warning is also a calling, so that the goodness of God will lead us to repentance (Rom. 2:4). Or do we think that the terrors of hell can convert us? We can cringe for fear of hell, and it will still not lead us to true repentance. It is not the punishment of sin, but the sorrow for sin, that will lead us to repentance.

We need to remember the goodness of the Lord. Then looking at our own lives, we will say, “Never has anyone committed so much sin against One who is so good.” Forget not His benefits, not one, not even the smallest one. Count your blessings, count them one by one. Realize that there is a God in heaven who has only been good to us. He even intends that our afflictions be for our good.

When we compare God’s goodness to our wickedness we realize that we should sink away because of great shame. Should we not be deeply humbled? Should we not be broken under all this goodness? In this way the Giver will be glorified. That is why we read the words of our text, “Forget not all his benefits.” God is so worthy, God has the right to demand this of us. Woe to us if we forget. He who has been taught by God’s Spirit learns to speak well of God and His benefits and ill of himself. He becomes an unworthy person with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, but these the Lord will not despise.

 

From The Everlasting Word by Frans Bakker, compiled and translated by Gerald R. Procee. Reformation Heritage Books and Free Reformed Publications, 2007. Used by permission. For further information, click here.