Repay? No Way!

What will I give to Yahweh for all his benefits toward me? [How will I repay Him?]

I will take [lift] the cup of salvation, and call on the name of Yahweh.

I will pay my vows to Yahweh, yes, in the presence of all his people.

Psalm 116:12-14 (WEB, my addition)

Most days, I am AWED by all that God has done. For example:

– a co-worker’s daughter was running a fever. I took her temp, looked at her throat, and encouraged them to take her to a doctor as she had been ill for three days and not improved. Turned out she had H1N1…yup, swine flue. That was over a week ago and she is better and I did not ‘catch’ it!

– someone pulled out in front of me on the way home late one night – but I stopped in time. No accident.

– I saw cardinals flying across my path yesterday. They are so beautiful!

Now some may think that these events can be scientifically explained away. Scientific principles, laws of physics, and laws of nature, aren’t those also the way the Creator ordained it? It seems even logical that I am thankful to my Creator!

My thanks can not begin to balance God’s extravagant love. The psalmist said it well. I can only acknowledge, or lift up, the many blessings and call out His name. I can only give God all the credit for what He has done.

And what are the vows that I have made and that I should fulfill them? We may have some common answers but we also have personal, or individual, answers to that question.

I have promised to love and serve God above all others. NO EXCEPTIONS! That is not always easy in my daily life. My wants have been laid aside when I did not understand. I did not always agree when I did understand! My life has become less about me and that has brought me opportunities and joys I never would have made on my own! The tent posts that surround my life have far exceeded my boundaries!

Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from evil, that it not be to my sorrow!”

God granted him that which he requested.      1 Chronicles 4:10 (WEB)

Oh, how we may have said our prayers and had no idea how BIG God might answer!