What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits to me? Psalm 116:12
In our verse today we find an interesting question asked by someone God himself acknowledged as closer to His heart, “What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me?” I think it’s a natural human response.
When we take a moment to reflect on the goodness that the Lord has bestowed on us, we realize that we have been given so much more than we deserve. From the breath in our lungs to the relationships we cherish, to the material possessions that we enjoy – all is a gift from God.
The Psalmist David recognized this truth as he asked, “What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me?” The word “render” alludes to the act of repaying or giving back. But what could we ever offer to God that would repay what he has done for us?
So great is God’s love for us that He sent His own Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins and reconcile us to Him. This is a priceless gift that cannot be repaid, but it can be acknowledged and cherished.
In response to God’s abundant grace and mercy, we can return to Him an offering of our love, obedience, and service. This is the kind of response that the Lord desires from us. We see this reflected in several passages in the Bible:
– Micah 6:8 says, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
– Romans 12:1 calls us to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice to God, holy and pleasing to Him.
– 1 Peter 2:9 describes us as a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, people who belong to God and have been called out of darkness into His marvelous light.
As we live our lives in gratitude to the Lord, we can draw inspiration from the examples of Moses, Ruth, and the apostle Paul in the Bible. Each of them responded to God’s goodness with humility, reverent obedience, and a commitment to serve others.
In conclusion, let us remember that the question that the Psalmist poses in Psalm 116:12 is rhetorical. We cannot repay God for His love, mercy, and grace – but we can live our lives in a way that honors Him and reflects our gratitude for His goodness. May we be inspired by His love and empowered by His grace as we seek to love and serve others, following the example of Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Promise: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”
Prayer: Dear Lord Heavenly Father mighty wonderful God. Lord, I come to you with a humble heart, seeking your grace, guidance, and love. I thank you for the blessings you have given me, and for your constant presence in my life. I acknowledge that without you, I am nothing and can do nothing.
Lord, I pray that you grant me the inner strength and wisdom to navigate through my daily challenges. Please calm my doubts, worries, and anxiety and fill me with your peace, your love, and your strength. Help me to forgive those who have hurt me, and to see the good in others as you see them.
Father, I also pray for those in need. Help me to be a tool of your compassion towards those who are hurting and may be in pain. I pray that you would use me as your hands and feet to bring hope to the hopeless.
Lord, I pray for your wisdom and guidance over my life. May I follow you with my whole heart and stay firmly rooted in your truth, trusting that all things will work together for good for those who love you.
In Jesus’ name, I pray these things, Amen.
May you be blessed and encouraged in your faith journey and cultivation of your heart.