|
|
Psalm 116:12-13“What shall I render to Yahweh for all His benefits to
me? I will lift up the cup of
salvation and call upon the name of Yahweh.
I will fulfill my vows to the in the presence of all His people.” (Psalm
116:12-13). What is God’s chief purpose in saving anyone? Earlier in the Psalm, the psalmist answers the question,
stating that the only reason God delivers anyone is that he might walk before
Him in the land of the living (116:7-8). But this begs another question: what are we to do as we
walk among the land of the living? The text before us today attempts to answer this pressing
question, and in doing so, reminds us as Christians what our consuming business
ought to be in this present age. The first thing the psalmist says in response to Yahweh’s
deliverance of him is, “I will lift up the cup of salvation.” This is likely a reference to the cup which was lifted up at
festal meals at the climax of the thank offering (see vv. 17-18; cf. also
Leviticus 7:11-21), where the Levitical priest leading the ceremony would lift
up this cup in celebratory gratitude for the LORD’s deliverance of His people. As Christians who have been delivered once-for-all by the
sufficient and atoning blood of Christ, we are also to lift “sacrifice a thank
offering” to the Lord our God for His glorious work of redemption.
When is the last time you have lifted up the cup of salvation as your
thank offering to God for sending His Son to deliver you from your sins? The second thing the psalmist says he will do in response
to God’s goodness to him is “I will call upon the name of the LORD.”
The psalmist, in the midst of the assembly, will not only visually
acknowledge before others of God’s saving goodness, but will also verbally
assent his deliverance unto God alone. Or,
as the letter of Hebrews exhorts us, “Through Christ, let us then offer up a
continual sacrifice to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, which is us
acknowledging His name” (13:15). But the idea of calling upon the LORD also implies a trusting dependency
upon Him for all His benefits. Not
only are we to praise Him for His steadfast love.
As we experience His faithfulness and trustworthiness in answer to our
prayers, we grow in our confidence and faith in Him, which manifests itself in
an ever-increasing reliance upon Him, which expresses itself in confident prayer
unto Him. Not only are we to offer
to God the sacrifice of praise, but also the sacrifice of ever-trusting faith.
This brings much honor and glory to His name! Finally, the third thing we are to do in response to
God’s gracious benefits to us is to “pay our vows to the LORD in the presence of all His
people.” Many prayers in the
psalms include vows of praise in anticipation of the expected answer to their
prayers. And when the prayer is
answered, the worshipper is quick to praise God publicly and unashamedly. How rare it is, at least in Baptist circles, to have
God’s people publicly praise Him in response to answered prayer.
The praise of God in the Psalter is rarely a private matter between him
and the LORD. Rather it is a
public ordeal, almost always held at the Temple, where worshippers would
celebrate God’s holy virtues, His saving acts, or His gracious bestowal of
blessings. God has saved us to make His greatness known publicly,
especially in the gathering of His people.
Isn’t that what ‘heaven’ will be like (cf. Revelation 4:8, 11; 5:9,
12-13; 7:10, 12, 15-17; 11:16-18; 15:3-4; 19:1, 5-7)? There is no such thing as ‘under-cover’ or
‘private-eye’ Christians. The
very reason the author to the Hebrews urged the believers not to neglect meeting
together was because of the necessity of encouraging one another and spurring
them on to good works (10:24-25). One of the greatest ways we as Christians can encourage our
fellow brothers and sisters in Christ is by publicly fulfilling to God our vows
of praise in response to answered prayer. So I ask again, why has God saved us?
Answer: that we might live unto the praise of His glorious grace!
Dear believer, do not be ashamed to publicly “lift up the cup of
salvation and call upon the name of the Lord.”
Do not be ashamed to “fulfill your vows unto the Lord in the presence
of all His people.” Truly, “Gracious and righteous is Yahweh; our God is
compassionate” (116:5). To Him be
all the praise, glory, and honor, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Take these words and apply them to our heart, O sovereign
Spirit sent to glorify the Son! In Christ, and for His glory, Pastor Ryan Hits: |
Send mail to webmaster@LethbridgeBaptist.com with questions or comments about this web site. Last modified: September 13, 2008 |
