The Psalmist articulates his deep desire to reciprocate the goodness of God throughout his lifetime, grappling with the decision of what to offer in return. It is a prevalent human inclination to express gratitude through meaningful gifts to those who have assisted us in times of need. Many individuals prefer not to entangle their expressions of gratitude with material possessions, which may ultimately be returned, but rather intend to convey their appreciation with a heart brimming with thanks.
However, certain individuals may resort to this practice as a means of limiting their expenditures, expressing gratitude solely through words rather than from sincere emotions. This mindset is inadvertently adopted by us to exhibit a nominal form of gratitude towards our God. Furthermore, those who offer material gifts to God often believe they have settled their obligations to Him for what He has provided, thus considering their debt as discharged. In truth, we all recognize what we ought to return to the LORD. Consequently, the pressing question arises: why do we fail to fulfill this duty, despite our clear understanding of it?
Reasons To Love The LORD
I love the LORD, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.
The cords of death entangled me,
the anguish of the grave came over me;
I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
Then I called on the name of the LORD:
“LORD, save me! ”
The LORD is gracious and righteous;
our God is full of compassion.
The LORD protects the unwary;
when I was brought low, he saved me. – Psalms 116:1-6 (NIV)
The Psalmist had numerous reasons to love the LORD. However, the pertinent question is whether we could sustain our love for the LORD even when we perceive no cause to do so. Regrettably, if God fails to meet our expectations, we often resort to seeking various alternatives to find relief outside of Him. It is significant to note that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego informed the king that even if God chose not to deliver them, they would not worship the golden image. When such unwavering faith encounters persecution, it becomes increasingly challenging for believers to remain steadfast in their faith, thereby undermining the privilege enjoyed by these three friends. Conversely, it is relatively easier for believers to love the LORD in response to the numerous good things He has imparted in their lives.
Paul aspired for greater blessings from the LORD, grounded in the belief that God sacrificed His own Son to redeem us. He reasoned that if God gave us His Son, it stands to reason that He will also grant us everything else (Romans 8:32). As we embrace the precious gift of salvation through Jesus during our time on earth, it is assured that all other blessings are conferred upon us; the only requirement from our part is to have faith.
Everyone Is A Liar
Return to your rest, my soul,
for the LORD has been good to you.
For you, LORD, have delivered me from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before the LORD
in the land of the living.
I trusted in the LORD when I said,
“I am greatly afflicted”;
in my alarm I said,
“Everyone is a liar.” – Psalms 116:7-11 (NIV)
The fundamental weakness of mankind is articulated by the Psalmist, failing in placing trust in God. In this world, we lack any precedent of genuine love and coexist among individuals who possess unclean lips, which consequently leads us to also bear such unclean lips, often without our awareness. Only the presence of God and His Holiness can illuminate our true condition (Isaiah 6:5). Until we position ourselves in His presence, we are unable to recognize our status as sinners destined for eternal death. We often refrain from approaching His presence out of fear that God will condemn us for our transgressions; however, the reality is that God sacrificed His Son on our behalf, liberating us from the consequences of sin, so that we may live and walk before the LORD in the land of the living. We must be assured of the truth that, despite the challenges we face on this earth, we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us (Romans 8:37).
While it is often perceived that dishonesty prevails among individuals in this world, Jesus exemplified the role of a faithful servant. Consequently, one cannot hastily conclude that all are liars; indeed, Jesus embodies truth, wherein grace and truth coexist (John 1:14). Upon this realization, the Psalmist acknowledged, in a moment of haste and reflecting the mindset of worldly people, that he had erroneously believed that everyone was deceitful.
Chains Are Broken
What shall I return to the LORD
for all his goodness to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the LORD.
I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the sight of the LORD
is the death of his faithful servants.
Truly I am your servant, LORD;
I serve you just as my mother did;
you have freed me from my chains. – Psalms 116:12-16 (NIV)
What shall I return to the LORD remains a poignant question in the minds of believers. The Psalmist offers an apt response, indicating that he will lift up the cup of salvation; this signifies a remembrance of the forgiveness of our sins. With this assurance, he is emboldened to invoke the name of the LORD.
As God has liberated us from the repercussions of sin, what is it that we are expected to offer Him? Are we obligated to repay God through material offerings disguised as acts of gratitude?
The author articulated his intention to honor his commitments to the LORD in the presence of people. This may inadvertently lead many to assume that individuals are obligated to make vows in the presence of God, thus implying that they must fulfill such promises upon receiving their desires from Him. However, when an individual fails to meet their vow, they may experience guilt and dread, fearing retribution for their inability to fulfill their commitment.
It is essential to understand that God does not necessitate the making of vows, and indeed, Jesus characterizes such vows as sinful (Matthew 5:37). Even in the Old Testament, casually invoking an oath with God—simply viewing it as a contract to uphold His promises in return for financial gain is explicitly sinful (Leviticus 5:4-5), as God does not command us to solicit our needs; He provides for us even prior to our requests. Consequently, the concept of entering into a bargain with God to procure our desires has become antiquated.
Moreover, this type of commitment was adopted by the Psalmist, influenced by the practices of his mother. Many of our irrational behaviors are perpetuated by our unwarranted reverence for our forebears and their erroneous beliefs.The paramount commitment one ought to embrace is the dedication of oneself as a living sacrifice to God (Romans 12:1), a process that can be undertaken directly without the necessity of formal vows.
Our Body Is His Temple
I will sacrifice a thank offering to you
and call on the name of the LORD.
I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people,
in the courts of the house of the LORD—
in your midst, Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD. – Psalms 116:17-19 (NIV)
As God has liberated us from the consequences of sin, what then are we expected to offer Him? Are we obligated to repay God through material offerings masquerading as acts of gratitude? This psalm illustrates that those who take vows are often individuals striving to demonstrate their commitment to others, thus fulfilling their pledges to God. Instead of approaching God and submitting themselves as His Holy temple, they depend on certain places of worship that they consider sacred. Here, the Psalmist emphasizes the sin of people who viewed Jerusalem more than God and His statutes, and for this reason, God later destroyed the city, which subsequently became a site of pilgrimage for many idolators.
What beliefs prevent us from forming a personal connection with God and treating our bodies as His Holy Sanctuary?
God, we express our gratitude for Your forgiveness of our sins and for cleansing us through the blood of Your Son. We beseech You to assist us in fulfilling Your purpose of purification by allowing Your Spirit to dwell consistently within our hearts.
The Jordan Valley 
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