Psalm 116:12 - What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward me?

Introduction

In the Scripture text today, we find a man thanking God for delivering him from death, and he takes a moment to reflect on his life and remembers all that God had done for him. There is no question that when this man looked back on his life and saw what God had done and was doing in his life, he was compelled to give God all the glory and honor deserving to Him. And when he thought about God’s goodness, he had to ask himself this one important question: “What shall I render unto the LORD for all His benefits toward me?” This is a question that many of us have stopped asking ourselves on a consistent basis. When is the last time you took a moment to consider how much God has blessed your life? When is the last time you really look over your life and counted the times God had intervened on your behalf in situations that were well beyond your control, yet you made it through? When is the last time you stopped to express your thanks to God for what He’s been in your life? When is the last time you made a commitment to God, to do whatever you had to do, to show your love and appreciation to Him. The psalmist didn’t forget. Your life circumstance and mine are no different than the psalmist. So the question remains for us to answer within our own souls, what can I give to you LORD for all you’ve done for me. The first ten verses of the text the writer tells us what God had done for him (read vv.1-10).

Remembering God's Goodness

(v.1,2) The first thing we see is this man sharing why he loves God. His love for God was a result of God taking the time to deal with him on a personal basis. Imagine this: God, the Creator and Lord of the universe, sitting on His throne in the third heaven; out of the throne proceeds thunderings and lightnings and voices; above the throne there are seraphim standing with their face and feet covered saying Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of Hosts; in the midst of the throne there are four beasts saying, “Holy, Holy, Holy, LORD God Almighty which was, and is, and is to come.“ They say this without rest day and night throughout eternity; the throne is surrounded by millions of angels shouting and falling before the throne of God worshipping Him; the praises and supplicating of the saint’s joined in. And through all the thunder, voices, praises from the hosts of heaven, and the prayers and praises of the saints, God hears one man’s voice crying out to Him and God leans down to hear him. When you consider how God does the same thing for you, can’t you say with all you heart that you love Him?

(vv.3-10) Then the writer begins to remember when death was knocking at his door because of his physical affliction, [and] when he experienced anxiety in his soul because of the actions of wicked men standing against him, and how trouble and sorrow laid hold of him like a strong net that could not be broken. But the writer also remembers that when he called upon God, God delivered him. In His omnipotence, God delivered this man from the hands of death. Out of His lovingkindness, God dried up his tears and brought comfort to his soul. [And] Because God is a keeper, God kept this man from falling and stumbling into sin and despair, and preserved his life. The writer recognized that the only reason he could speak in this manner was because God was gracious to him, that God was righteous with him and that God was merciful with him. God heard this man and God hears you. God delivered him and God delivers you. We can see what this man remembered about his life, but I want you to think back for a moment and reflect. Do you remember the time:

• when in your youth, you passed by mamma’s room or passed by the kitchen while grandma was cooking and you heard them praying to God that He would watch over and protect you. And you couldn’t understand why things kept happening to other kids, but not you? It was because God was gracious to you and heard their prayers.
• when you were sick. The doctors and their medicine couldn’t help your condition, but when you turned you face toward heaven and called on God, because God is gracious, He healed your body and raised you up and the doctors are still baffled at your recovery.
• when God spared your life from serious injuries from a car accident or when you were in the clubs when somebody started shooting their gun or when other life threatening mishaps could have taken your life in a moment. But because God is merciful, you are still in the land of the living today.
• when you were down to your last dollar and saw no money coming in, that God still made a way for you to feed your family and still kept a roof over your head.
• when Satan’s imps were on your trail seeking to lead you into temptation in your moment of weakness, but because God is a deliverer, He provided the way that you could escape, loosed you from your bondage, and kept you from fallen.
• when you were down in the muck and mire of sin and God heard your cry of repentance and He forgave your sins. [And] Because God is righteous, He washed you in the blood of Jesus, cleaned you up and set you in heavenly places and among holy people. So that now you are His child and have a right to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Oh! Do you remember when...?

If you remember, can you see how God has dealt bountifully with you? If so, then you have to ask yourself, after what God has done for me, what can I give to Him for all His grace, for all His righteousness and for all His mercy shown to me? Out of his love for God and because he saw God working in his life, the psalmist gave us five offerings we can render unto God to show our love and appreciation for Him.

Offerings To God

1. (v.9) “I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.” You can present to God a life of holiness and godliness that reflects your relationship with Him. Peter in his second epistle said, “God has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.” (2 Pet.1:3). Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good work and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Mt.5:16). Paul said, “For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and spirit, which are God’s.”(1 Co. 6:20).
2. (v.13) “I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the LORD.” You can present to God your acceptance of His salvation and call upon God. Jesus said, “...This is my blood of the new testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Jesus said, “That as many as received Him, to them gave them power to become the sons of God.” (Jn.1:12). It is this free gift of salvation through the sacrifice and shed blood of Jesus Christ that your right relationship with God is established, and you can call on God and find forgiveness for your sin. [And] As a partaker in this cup of salvation you have an assurance that ,”If you confess your sins, God is faithful and just to forgive your sins, and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness.” (1 Jn.1:9).
3. (v.14) “I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all people.” You can present to God your integrity in serving Him. You pay your vows unto God when you walk in faith and obedience to Him and His Word wherever you are. “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering...” (Heb.10:23). “This day the LORD thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes and judgments: thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thine heart and with all thy soul.“ (Det.26:16). As God has been faithful toward you in keeping His promises to you, “Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High...” (Psalm 50:14).
4. (v.17) “I will offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving.” You can present to God your thanks. “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Th.5:18). (see Psalm 100).
5. (v.19) “Praise the LORD..“ You can present to God your worship.