Good morning, and a blessed Thursday morning to you.

Would you open your Bibles, please, to Psalm 103 for our time in God's Word.

Here's a question: Do you ever talk to yourself?

Don't worry—that's perfectly normal. All of us do it from time to time. We might say, "What did I do with those keys?" or "Where did I put that?" Even when those thoughts remain silent, they're still a form of talking to ourselves.

In Psalm 103, we find a wonderful example of this kind of self-talk.

Let's take a look.

Psalm 103 was written by David. In verse 1 he writes:

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name."

David is speaking to his own soul.

Here, the word soul is more than simply the spiritual part of us. It encompasses our entire being—our mind, our will, our emotions, our personality, and even our body. It is all of who we are.

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name."

To bless the Lord is to offer Him thanksgiving and praise.

David continues:

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all His benefits."

Then he begins to remind himself what those benefits are.

"Who forgives all your iniquity."

This is the forgiveness that is ours through the Lord Jesus Christ. On the cross, He paid the debt we could never pay, winning complete forgiveness for us through His grace.

"Who heals all your diseases."

Primarily, David is speaking of our greatest disease—the disease of sin. Yet we also know that one day, in heaven, we will be completely healed. And at times, according to His gracious will, God also brings healing to us in this life.

David continues:

"Who redeems your life from the pit."

The pit is a picture of the grave. David is pointing us to the resurrection that is ours through the Lord Jesus Christ.

He goes on:

"Who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy."

What beautiful words! God's mercy means we do not receive what our sins deserve.

Finally, David says:

"Who satisfies you with good as long as you live, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."

Notice what David is doing. As he speaks to his own soul—to his whole being—he reminds himself of God's gracious gifts. He gives thanks for forgiveness, for healing from the disease of sin, for the promise of complete healing in heaven, for the hope of the resurrection, for God's steadfast love and mercy, and for the strength God continues to provide.

This kind of self-talk can also become the foundation of our prayers.

Martin Luther gave us a wonderful example of using Scripture to shape the way we pray. As we remind ourselves of God's gracious benefits, those same truths naturally become our prayers. We thank Him for forgiveness. We thank Him for healing us from the disease of sin. We thank Him for the promise that one day we will be completely healed, and for the healing He sometimes grants in this life according to His will. We thank Him for the resurrection that is ours through Christ. We thank Him for His steadfast love, His mercy, and His strength.

God gives us the words to speak to our own souls, and He also gives us the words to pray back to Him.

Let's pray.

Gracious Heavenly Father, we thank You for this portion of Your Word. We thank You for David's example of speaking truth to his own soul. And we thank You that these same truths become the very words of our prayers. Fill our hearts with gratitude as we remember all Your gracious benefits; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

God bless you today.

Encourage someone.

Pastor Eibel