How Does Fulfillment in Christ Affect Us?

Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. (Psalm 103:1–5)

Today’s big question: how does fulfillment in Christ affect us?

What a blessing it is to read through the entire 103rd Psalm.

As you read it, look for the words that describe all that has been fulfilled for us through Christ’s work on the Cross. Here is a brief list of the words and terms I came up with: forgiveness, eternal healing, kingship and adoption, redemption, mercy, satisfaction through sanctification, righteousness and justice, revelation of His salvation, grace, more grace, patience, eternal forgiveness, grace again, steadfast love, compassion, humility in His consideration of us, exaltation, victory, worthiness of praise from all creation, and total undefeated dominion.

In each of the statements we read about the Lord in Psalm 103, we see a depth of fulfillment in His work on the Cross. Through the Cross Christ forgives all our iniquities, heals all our diseases, redeems our life from destruction, and crowns us with loving kindness and tender mercies. He satisfies our mouths with good things so that we are renewed.

Without the Cross, we could not understand these statements, but in the Cross we can know something of the amazing depth of God’s forgiveness and redemption. We can consider our Savior, the spotless Lamb and the true fulfillment of all that was symbolized in the Jewish tabernacle, priesthood, festivals and feasts. We can know the horror of sin in our life, our desperate need for salvation, our yearning for redemption, and the hopelessness of our own situation. We can see His blood that covers all our sins.

For those of us who know Him, this produces a heart full of praise. I cry out, “You Lord, have fulfilled all on the Cross, and I deserved none of it. My evil heart is forgiven because of all that you graciously gave. I praise You.” Bless the Lord, O my soul.

Can you bow your knee to the great God of salvation, Jesus Christ? Can you say He is truly your Savior? If not, He offers Himself to you and wants you to come and experience the fulfillment of life that can only come from Him. He wants you to know His mercy, forgiveness, and grace. Come to Jesus in repentance for sin and faith in Him.

And then praise Him with all your soul. “Oh God, I love You.”

Today’s big idea: what Jesus did for us brings praise to the depths of our hearts.

What to pray: join me and the whole throne room of heaven in praising His name and crying out eternal gratitude.