Sep 18 – WHAT SHALL I RENDER?

“What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?” (Psalms 116:12).

The heart with gratitude makes God happy. When you reminiscent all the goodness God bestowed on you and praise Him from the bottom of your heart, God would shower many more blessings upon you.

The history of David explains how a person is elevated from a very low level to a very great height. One who was a young shepherd was elevated as a big king of Israel. During all the difficult times, God was with David. God helped him and elevated him.

David remembered all the good things done by God with gratitude. Look, how he announces to the people of Israel “….give thanks to the Lord. Who remembered us in our lowly state, for His mercy endures forever” (Psalms 136:1, 23). Further, he decided to fulfil three things for God.

1. I will call upon the Name of God: “I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord” (Psalms 116:13). The term “call upon” gives several meanings like ‘I will worship Him’, ‘I will extol and exalt Him’ and ‘I will give Him honour and majesty.’ God is great and worthy to be praised. He likes and expects us to worship Him.
2. I will offer thanks offering: “I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord” (Psalms 116:17). David found a very blessed sacrifice. That is the offering of thanks offertory; an offertory of the lips. God also desired this offertory.
3. I will pay my vows: “I will pay my vows to the Lord now in the presence of all His people” (Psalm 116:14). David decided not to stop with just oral praising but also to exalt Him by offering Him the vows.

The Scripture says, “Honour the Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine” (Proverbs 3:9, 10). Dear children of God, God will bless you more and more if you praise Him without forgetting all the good things done by Him.

To meditate: “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work” (II Corinthians 9:8).