Psalm 103:3 - Thanks for forgiveness & healing

Chances are that sometime this week someone may ask you what it is for which you're thankful. Hopefully, not much prompting will be needed to answer the question.

However, if you need it, David provides a brief outline of things for which to give thanks. Today, we'll look at the first two things on the list.

"1 Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. 2 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. 3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases." (Psalm 103:1–3, New Living Translation, 2015)

Most people won't enumerate for others all the sins they've committed, even if they are forgiven by God's grace. David doesn't list all of his sins in this psalm either, but he does expand on the concept of forgiveness in the same psalm:

"9 [The Lord] will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. 10 He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. 11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. 12 He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west." (Psalm 103:9–12, NLT)

But what was David thinking when he said, "He forgives all my sins AND heals all my diseases?"

It seems easy to claim God forgives all my sin. What physical evidence is there to prove otherwise? But if He heals all my diseases, then why do I still have precancerous lesions, a hiatal hernia, arthritis, etc. etc.

Jesus Himself asked the question:
"Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’?" (Luke 5:23, NLT)
In that case, He healed a paralyzed man to prove that He has the power to do both.

It's a matter of timing, and trusting God's promises to be true. While some diseases may not be healed until I'm in heaven, there are illnesses that God has brought me through. 

In actuality, both are a process. God continues to forgive my sins, He continues to heal my diseases. 

Father, It's a very personal list for all of us. Still, we ask that You bring to mind all the sins that You've forgiven and all the diseases of mind and body that you've already healed. For these things we give thanks in Jesus name, Amen.