Psalm 103:1-5
What does it mean to bless the Lord? It means to be thankful towards Him and to honor Him.
This Psalm implies that it takes everything within us to do it: intelligence, love and
our surrendered emotions (vs. 1). We cannot be forgetful and careless worshippers of God
(vs.2). An inventory list is provided to help us consider all the ways God is benefitting
us:
• Forgiveness and health (Psalm 103:3).
• Protection, lovingkindness and mercy (Psalm 103:4).
• Food and Strength (Psalm 103:5).
These benefits are given to us daily (Psalm 68:19; Lamentations 3:22-23). So our prayers and blessings to God should also be daily, as well as continual (Matthew 6:9-11, etc.; Psalm 34:1; Ephesians 5:18-21; I Thessalonians 5:16-19; Psalm 42:8; 55:17; 119:164).
We should not limit ourselves to personal and private thanks to God. We should praise Him with others and to others (Psalm 34:1-3; 71:14-24; Colossians 3:12-17; Hebrews 13:15).
II Corinthians 4:6-18
We are to shine the light of God’s goodness and glory through the Gospel of Jesus Christ and through the sharing of our personal testimony (II Corinthians 4:6). God uses our
weaknesses and problems to demonstrate that we cannot rely on human strength, but on the grace and power of God (II Corinthians 4:7-11). God’s power that raised Jesus Christ from
the dead also works in us to overcome all difficulties. All things in our life are working together for our good and for God’s glory. We should be careful to use every opportunity
to thank God and to encourage thanksgiving in others, so that we can promote the glory of God (i.e. cause others to know who He is and what He does). See II Corinthians 4:14-15; Romans 8:28; James 1:2-4; Ephesians 5:20; I Thessalonians 5:18. Find the Grace of God and give Him thanks
Focusing on God’s eternal purposes, promises and power is what keeps us from “fainting” or “quitting.” We must not let the fear and frustration of earthly cares and problems control
how we respond to life (II Corinthians 4:16-18 cp.vs 1). See also Philippians 4:6-13. | 
