What shall I render to the Lord For all His benefits toward me? I shall lift up the cup of salvation And call upon the name of the Lord.I shall pay my vows to the Lord, Oh may it be in the presence of all His people.
Psalm 116:12–14 (NASB95)
Have you ever gotten into a conversation with someone who was recently saved? Maybe you led them to trust Christ or perhaps you met them shortly after. They are “wide-eyed” with wonder at this new reality of their lives! It is exciting.
Contrast that with the person saved for twenty, forty, or fifty years. May times, these “veteran” saints have been saved so long that they have forgotten what it was like to be lost! The reality is there, but the wonder isn’t.
Through the years I have watched Christians who have ripened in their faith. I often like to remind them from where they have come from. In fact, this is why I rehearse the gospel and often insert myself in the story when I preach weekly. I want them to remember, and I never want to forget! God’s salvation is amazing!
When you consider the wonder of your salvation, you may be tempted to want to repay the Lord. Go to church, share your faith, serve the poor, give generously…all in an effort to repay God for His kindness.
Years ago, I heard a pastor speak about this very thing. He pointed out that trying to repay God actually cheapens the gift God has given us. After all, if we can repay Him…then we could have “paid” for our salvation on our own in the first place. Since we know this is not true…we can only do one thing: enjoy our salvation to the fullest.
That’s the heart of the psalmist in these verses. How can I respond to God for His benefits toward me? I will rejoice in His salvation and cry out to Him as my Lord…and I will walk faithfully according to my vows! Father, help me to walk as a bondservant of Christ, freed from the obligations and yet freely embracing my vow to follow my Lord and my King. Amen, Amen.
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