At the end of last December I found myself scheduling time off I hadn’t managed to fit in during the year. My company offers paid time off on a use it or lose it basis. Since a benefit like that is part of my overall compensation, I would be foolish to ignore it.
David often recalled the benefits of being in covenant with God, as should we: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits” (Psalm 103:2).
The competition for top-notch employees in the high-tech field leads to some generous perks. One West Coast software company not only provides employees twenty-one paid days off a year, but also reimburses them up to $3,000 annually for vacation expenses!
Imagine that you worked there in some junior position, but failed to examine your benefits package. Instead of enjoying your employer’s generous provision, you took only the one week of vacation you thought you had, and planned your getaway as cheaply as possible. Short on cash, you put everything on your credit card, packed a lunch for the plane, stayed at a shabby motel, and ate out sparingly. You enjoyed the break, but not having to pay off the charged trip expenses.
This story describes many Christians’ existence. Instead of reigning in life, they live perennially under the circumstances. Accepting unnecessary deprivation and suffering as their lot in life, they tell themselves they should just be grateful they’re not going to hell. They fail to appropriate their birthright in Christ and to use the gifts He’s given. Don’t follow their shallow thinking. Know what’s in your covenant; know your benefits!
Here are some of the benefits we learn God provides in Psalm 103:
Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.
Those promises were given under the Old Covenant. But born-again believers have an even better covenant with better promises! (Hebrews 8:6). Our sins are not just covered until the next time we mess up; Jesus’s sacrifice provided complete forgiveness of all our sins—past, present, and future! We’re freed of condemnation and shame and offered a clean conscience. Instead of brooding over our failures, we enjoy the gift of the Holy Spirit who reminds us of our righteousness in Christ (Hebrews 10, Romans 8:1).
Jesus has granted us, as His disciples, authority over all the power of the enemy. Those who believe the words of Jesus are offered the incredible privilege of doing the same works that He did (Luke 10:19, John 14:12). The New Covenant removed the need for an intermediary so every child of God can come directly and boldly before God’s throne. And one of the most wonderful things about this kingdom benefit is that it’s called the throne of grace! (Hebrews 4:16). Freed of the heavy yoke of performance, we benefit from His abundant grace and all-encompassing forgiveness as we choose to enter into His rest (Hebrews 4).
This is just a sampling of the benefits and blessings of the believer!
