Transformation Series Episode 14

Transformation Series Episode 14

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Who (the Lord) satisfies your years with good things,
         So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

Hello, my walking friend! Are you already on the move? If so, awesome! If not, it’s time to get your body moving! As you do, take a second to pause and bless the Lord for all the ways he has blessed you over the years! 

Today is the 14^th episode in the transformation series and our verse to meditate on is Psalm 103:5:

Who satisfies your years with good things,
         So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

This verse, on its own, may sound like you are being asked a question, “Who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle?” In actuality, it is the continuation of an ongoing thought. Really it says, The Lord satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like an eagle. But pause for a minute, in your thinking not your walking, and treat the verse like a question:

Who or what can satisfy your years with good thing? Is there anyone in your life who has been able to fill your soul with good things all the time? Is there anyone who can keep you from death? Are there any  drugs or material things that can do that? Not in the long term. And there is no human being, besides Jesus, who can do that for you. 

Who or what can renew your youth? Supplements? I wish! I keep taking them hoping they will do a miracle! What about plastic surgeons? Temporary fixes. Or self-help books? No, again, there is only one who can keep that promise – the Lord.

Psalm 103 is beautiful – let’s listen to it in its entirety:

Bless the LORD, O my soul;
all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and do not forget all His kind deeds—
He who forgives all your iniquities
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the Pit
and crowns you with loving devotion and compassion,
who satisfies you with good things,
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The LORD executes righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
He made known His ways to Moses,
His deeds to the people of Israel.
The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion.
He will not always accuse us,
nor harbor His anger forever.
He has not dealt with us according to our sins
or repaid us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is His loving devotion for those who fear Him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him
For He knows our frame;
He is mindful that we are dust.
As for man, his days are like grass—
he blooms like a flower of the field;
when the wind passes over, it vanishes,
and its place remembers it no more.
But from everlasting to everlasting
the loving devotion of the LORD
extends to those who fear Him,
and His righteousness to their children’s children—
to those who keep His covenant
and remember to obey His precepts.
The LORD has established His throne in heaven,
and His kingdom rules over all.
Bless the LORD, all His angels mighty in strength
who carry out His word,
who hearken to the voice of His command.
Bless the LORD, all His hosts,
you servants who do His will.
Bless the LORD, all His works
in all places of His dominion.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!

My walking friend, if you are anything like me, you are probably looking for transformation in your life – in your mind, your body, your relationships, your finances. I want to transform each of those areas into something better than they currently are, for sure. But the truth is that none of those things will last – as wonderful as all are – our bodies, our minds, our relationships, our worldly creature comforts – they will all go away one day, no matter how many supplements we take! But our soul? Oh, our soul will go on. Praise the Lord that he has made a way for our souls to be renewed, to be reunited with him. Can you imagine how glorious that will be? Can you really let that feeling of hope sink deep inside you to know that Jesus Christ, your Lord and Savior, made a way to renew your soul, to transform you from a sinful creature to one that wears his righteousness? Bless the Lord, oh my soul, for he has redeemed me from the pit. He has redeemed you from the pit, my friend. He has renewed your youth like the eagle, so that even in old age we can bless the Lord with fruitfulness and steadfastness. What better kind of transformation can there be?  

Now let’s take a little time to meditate on today’s verse, Psalm 103:5:

Who satisfies your years with good things,
         So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

You are now at the halfway point of your walk. If you need to be back in 10 minutes, this would be the time to turn around and head back.

The second half of our walk is an opportunity for reflection, meditation, and prayer. For many of us, myself included, this might feel challenging. But the spiritual rewards, and transformation, that come from developing this discipline is great and so is the power of the Holy Spirit to help us. So let’s start with some questions that will guide you in the process of reflection. 

What does it mean to you to have your youth renewed? What does that look like in your life? Take some time to consider that now.

How does it make you feel to know that the Lord has crowned you with loving devotion and compassion? Pause and really think about the depth of love that God has for you.

Take a moment to let your soul really bless the Lord for all he has done for you.

Now let’s listen to today’s verse one last time:

Psalm 103:5:

Who satisfies your years with good things,
         So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

Is there anything else you would like to talk to Jesus about? Anything going on in your life? Remember he is right there with you, walking with you, and he is eager for you to share all that is on your heart and mind with him. Take some time to talk to him now.

Now I am going to pray for us:

Dear Jesus, 

Thank you for redeeming us from the pit. Thank you for redeeming our souls. Thank you that, even as we age, you renew us so that we can be fruitful and serve you. And thank you for transforming us from sinful, broken human beings into your true image bearers, clothed in your righteousness. We bless you, Lord Jesus, our souls bless you. Amen.

Well, my walking friend, you did it! Another 10 minutes of walking and another opportunity to build the spiritual discipline of prayer and quiet time with Jesus, the one who has redeemed your soul. I’m grateful for you and I’m grateful you took the time to walk with me today. 

For more Walk with Jesus resources, including the Walk with Jesus 21 day scripture, devotional, and guided prayer journal book for walkers, go to WalkWithJesusDevotional.com. You will find the URL for the show notes for this podcast in the episode description.

 I hope we can walk together again tomorrow, friend, as we continue our process of transformation. Until then, God bless you as you walk with Jesus.