Amazing!

Sarah Habben

My pastor husband once had this conversation with a Grade 3 student:

“How was your day, Taeja?”

“Amazing!”

“Really? What made it amazing?”

“Oh, I dunno. I guess every day is amazing to me!”

When was the last time I was amazed by an ordinary Thursday? I’m ashamed to say I can’t recall.

Psalm 103 was written by King David, who sounds as jubilant as Taeja: “Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name” (verse 1).

Sometimes my praise is smothered by discontent. I have eyes only for what annoys me and miss God’s simple blessings of breakfast or clean sheets. Sometimes my joy is robbed by illness, stress, or exhaustion. My eyes turn inward, and I miss God’s invitation to find rest in his Word. Sometimes my joy today is hobbled by yesterday’s regrets. I plod forward, dragging a load that Jesus wants me to leave behind.

I’m not sure what Taeja’s secret is, but David’s joy centers on our amazing God, who does what we don’t deserve: “Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins” (verses 2,3).

In Christ, God forgives our sins of discontent, self-absorption, and doubt. And, oh, the blessings that follow on the heels of forgiveness! Read the rest of the psalm—we are healed, redeemed, loved, satisfied, renewed.

Covered by God’s forgiveness, we can give thanks for every ordinary, amazing day.

Devotion used by permission of Time of Grace®. For more information, visit timeofgrace.org