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“Obligations to the Lord”
Psalm 116 is a fascinating song. The unknown writer begins it with “I love the Lord, because…” The whole psalm, nineteen verses, is constant in the thought found in verse 12. “What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me?” People with grateful hearts wish to do something reciprocal for the person that has been kind to them. The great preacher from the mid 1900’s, Dr. Bob Jones, Sr., used to say, “When gratitude dies on the altar of a man’s heart that man is well-nigh hopeless.” There is a sweet emotion that is involved in us when gratitude lives inside us. Throughout this psalm the things God has done are listed. I’ll cherry pick a few for the blog today. God heard his prayers (v.1). Because God heard him, he commits to the Lord for his whole life (v.2). He found that during times of death and sorrow that God was gracious to him (v.3-5). In his simplicity God preserved him (v.6). The Lord had offered him salvation and he took it (v.13). These are a few of the things we pick up on in this song.
Look with me at v. 12 again. “What shall I render unto the Lord…?” Where do we start? I think we begin by remembering what those things are that God has given, you know, all those blessings you have in your life. Think about the material things the Lord has covered you with. Did you have a wonderful childhood? Have you had a good education? Do you have good friends? Do you have food to eat? Do you have a place to lay your head? Do you have clothes to wear? Do you have health? These things along with ten thousand others can be attributed to the Lord. Remember this, as wonderful as these things are to have, they all can be lost in a split second. Health is fleeting and people lose their jobs which impacts food, clothing and shelter. Children get abused around the world and in the past four years there are over three-hundred thousand immigrant children that have been lost and unaccounted for. While my heart is grateful for all the Lord has given to me and my family materially, there are some things that far outstrip them. The old-time preachers from 150 years ago called them “the spirituals.” When our bodies begin to break down and ultimately we die, immediately we are ushered into the presence of the Lord. The Lord gave us salvation by Christ dying on the cross. With that salvation, no matter what happens in the body, our soul and spirit will be with the Lord. Do you know what the Lord says about the believer when he or she passes? Look at verse 15. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” The day I trusted Christ was a transforming day. Nothing has been the same since. I have had ups and downs just like everyone else, but I am assured when the last breath is taken, heaven is my next stop. As a young Christian I had a hard time reading the crucifixion story. I couldn’t read it without weeping. I can still get emotional just reading and visualizing the suffering Christ endured for me. To this day, I have never watched “The Passion of the Christ.” I don’t think I would handle it well. I won’t take time to write about more of “the spirituals” but because of salvation and the others, gratitude to the Lord should reign in your heart every single day you take a breath.
So again, “What shall I render to the Lord…?” Perhaps to get an idea for ourselves we simply look to see what the song writer pens and what he plans to do. He says, “He will walk before the Lord in the land of the living” (v.9). He will do his best to be a testimony to those around him and always remember that God is watching him all the time. The Lord has been so good to me the least I can do is live consistently for him. What else? He declares, “I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people” (v.14). If I make a promise, I will fulfill that promise to God. How many times do we try to strike a bargain with the Lord by saying something like “Lord, if you’ll _______, I’ll be the most faithful member at the church.” “Lord, if you bless my business, I’ll give _______ to the church & missions.” The Lord does indeed bless in the area you’ve bargained only for you and me not to keep our end. What else? He declares “I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving” (v.17). He was planning on constantly thanking God in his prayers. Our prayer life should begin with praise and thanksgiving before we begin asking our petitions. What else? He has committed himself to do these things at the house of God. “In the courts of the Lord’s house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem” (v.19). Special things happen at the house of God. Our hearts are warmed with music and the Word of God. The sweet Holy Spirit takes the Bible and illuminates our souls. We learn how to handle troubles and heartaches by the beautiful passages in the Word and by the encouragement of the saints who are with us at church.
“What shall I render to the Lord?” How about you, just YOU! Romans 12:1-2 will be a great passage to close. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.”