WHAT SHALL I RENDER TO THE LORD?

Dearly Beloved, WHAT SHALL I RENDER TO THE LORD? “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me? I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord now in the presence of all His people” (Psalm 116:12-14 NKJV). Psalm 116 is generally termed “A Psalm of Thanksgiving for Deliverance”. Its author is not known, although many people attributed it to King David. However, it is evident from the psalm that the person that wrote the psalm was delivered from an impending danger, possibly death (verses 3, 8). He declared his love for God who heard his prayers, and he reaffirmed his faith in God as long as he lived (verses 1-2, 9). The Lord had been merciful and gracious to him, and He (the Lord) had saved him from the precarious circumstance he found himself (verses 5-6, 10). The writer discovered that human beings are not reliable (verse 11), but the Lord is righteous (verse 5). For all these, he wondered what he would render or pay to the Lord (verse 12). He concluded that he would worship God and pay his vows to the Lord in the presence of His people (verses 13-14, 17-19). Has the Lord done anything for you this year to deserve His worship and thanksgiving? Definitely, He has! Looking back to the past months, weeks and days in the passing year, the Lord has done many things. He has protected you from evils. He has saved you from dangers. He has averted many accidents that might have occurred to you. In fact, He has spared your life from death. What shall you render to the Lord for all these? What of His provisions? The Lord has been providing your daily bread. He has been meeting you at the point of your needs. He has been sustaining you with air and other necessities of life. The fact that you are alive till now is because of His sustainability. What shall you render to the Lord for all these? The Lord has been answering your prayers. He has been coming to your aid whenever you call on Him. Even, if He has not done what you want from Him this year, it is certain that He will do it at His time and in His way because He is a righteous and reliable God. What shall you render to the Lord for these? Like the unknown psalmist, are you ready to love God and affirm your faith in Him? Are you ready to worship Him for who He is and thank Him for what He is doing in your life? Are you ready to pay your vows to Him in the presence of His people? What shall you render to the Lord for all His benefits towards you? Only ungrateful people will have nothing to thank God for. As for me, I will render thanksgiving to the Lord, and not forget all His benefits towards me this year. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Help me, O Lord, not to be ungrateful, but always render worship and thanksgiving to You for all Your benefits to me.