There’s a great question posed in the 116th Psalm as the writer considers all the benefits he has received from God.
Psalm 116:12–13 (ESV) — 12 What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me? 13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord,
The first thing to render to God is a consideration of all His benefits that He has bestowed upon you. Where would you begin? How about with life itself? Your life is a gift from Him.
Acts 17:24–25 (ESV) — 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.
But there is more. Everything that we have in this life is a gift from Him.
1 Corinthians 4:7 (ESV) — 7 For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?
But there is more. When desiring to give God ultimate praise and blessing, the psalmist in Psalm 103 stirs himself by considering the benefits of redemption, steadfast love, mercy, life’s satisfactions, and bodily renewal.
Psalm 103:1–5 (ESV) — 1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, 3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, 5 who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Redemption is not something at which to yawn or something to take for granted. Look how Peter made sure we sit up and take notice that our redemption is only at a very expensive price.
1 Peter 1:18–21 (ESV) — 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
Just think about your redemption. You were purchased from your old way, the status of being a “child of God’s wrath” just like all of mankind, but God made a difference in that He included you in the number given to the Lord Jesus Christ to redeem with His own blood on the cross. You can’t yawn at that. In fact, it’s a matter of asking “what shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits?”
We have a reasonable answer to that question in Romans.
Romans 12:1–2 (ESV) — 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
How does “offering your body as a living sacrifice” look?
Luke 9:23 (ESV) — 23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
We also find a presentable offering in the second verse above when he says to “be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” Jesus described it this way:
John 15:4–5 (ESV) — 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
It’s not a matter of keeping a list of duties, rather it’s a burning desire to enjoy His fellowship, encouragement, power, help, and more every hour of every day. Knowing that filling our minds and our hearts with His word, communicating with Him regularly through prayer and making the most of the means of grace we get poured into our hearts through the preaching of the word, participating in the sacraments, and being part of corporate as well as private prayer, we will grow closer to Him.
What shall we render then to the Lord for all His benefits to us? Consider the rest of the list of Psalm 103 as the psalmist makes sure he remembers God’s steadfast love and mercy.
Lamentations 3:21–23 (ESV) — 21 But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: 22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Further, the psalmist lists the satisfaction with things in life and the blessing of our bodily strength being renewed. Just think of how wonderful it is that God has designed your body in such a way that you are able to enjoy food. Some people because of disease or some other causes are not able to have that pleasure so don’t take it for granted. It is a. gift from God. Not only that, but think of how wonderful it is that your body is able to be renewed in strength from the food you eat.
Psalm 139:14 (ESV) — 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
What shall we render to God for all His benefits?
Psalm 103:1 (ESV) — 1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
Psalm 116:12–13 (ESV) — 12 What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me? 13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord,
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker, Pastor
Christ Community Presbyterian Church
Clearwater, FL 33764
Check out the PowerBreak podcast wherever you download podcasts or via our website: www.bobbrubaker.com
