Psalm 103:2

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

It’s probably not uncommon to think of music when you read the Psalms. After all, many of the Psalms were written as songs. When reading this Psalm, I think of the song “10,000 Reasons,” recorded by Matt Redman. 

This second verse of Psalm 103 reminds us to remember all of the Lord’s benefits. I would think that number is infinite, but 10,000 is a pretty good start. 

The second verse of “10,000 Reasons,” extols some of the benefits David, the Psalmist, wants us to remember. 

You're rich in love and You're slow to anger 

Your name is great and Your heart is kind 

For all Your goodness I will keep on singing 

Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find 

It’s always a good practice to remember God’s goodness, or some of your own 10,000 reasons. 

In this month where we focus on thankfulness and gratitude, I’d like to share some of my blessings. I’m thankful for the Christian community at 1st United Methodist Church of Maryville and for the good they do in the community. I praise the success and community support of our dementia care program, Daybreak. I am grateful for Celebrate Recovery ministering to those with hurts, habits, and hang-ups. I am thrilled about the adults who support Rise and Shine that reaches so many youths in our community. 

I honor those who serve those who are hungry at Welcome Table. I am blessed by the church staff who support church members with their spiritual growth. I love my Sunday School classmates, fellow choir members and bell ringers, who love and support each other like family. 

I am thankful for you who listen to Grace for All, and for Jim Stovall and Greta Smith, who had the idea for a member-driven podcast that is now completing its second year. 

What are some of your 10,000 reasons? I encourage you to take some time today to think about a few of them. 

Please pray with me. 

Dear Lord, we are human, and it is often easier for us to focus on what frustrates us. Let us not forget your benefits. May we focus today on blessing you and the benefits you provide to us every day. Amen. 

This devotional was written by Kathryn King, and read by Sally Stovall. 

You can listen to 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) here on Spotify.

https://open.spotify.com/track/0fxpHpK3aw2nFWII6yveDD?si=e8fddb4a7d41402c

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. 

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org. 

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.