Today’s reading came from Psalm 116.
In typical fashion of when I read David, I underline like crazy. The Psalm today began like many others, “I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy.” I get out my pink colored pencil and underline; reminding myself that God, in his greatness, still communicates with us--that he is near. He hears not only the crashing waves and the bellowing thunder, but he hears the cry of the widow and the heart of the orphan. He hears me.
David goes on to describe his suffering, and how, when he (again) called on the name of the Lord, the Lord acted. David’s action of looking back--his practice of remembering what God has done--moves him to celebrate the character of God: “Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful.” In this moving remembrance David is moved to the point of wanting to do something in exchange…but what can he do? God is GOD! “What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits for me?”
Haven't we had moments of feeling like David? Knowing we love the Lord, but not knowing how to show it! For David, his prayer through this Psalm stirs his heart up to gratitude. Though his actions are seemingly ordinary, he resolves to “lift up the cup of salvation” — an act of celebration and remembrance for the Lord delivering Israel out of Egypt. David commits to paying his vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people — an act of worship in the temple that would have already been expected.
And yet, I wonder, even in these small acts, ones Jews would go to the temple and perform on a daily basis, how much more would David’s heart of gratitude shine through the ritual acts of worship. His gratitude moves within him and radiates love, thanksgiving, and dependence on God…in the presence of all the people!
Oh that my heart would stir up gratitude--that I would be free to worship in the sanctuary with such freedom and excitement. That my worship would be a natural response for all that God has done.
Psalm 116
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.
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.”
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.
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.