## What Shall I Render?

## Psalm 116:12

As we begin the month of November, our thoughts usually turn to a time of Thanksgiving. It is a time of reflection on the past and evaluation of the present. We need to stop and think about the many ways that God has blessed us. Now you may not be thinking about that this morning. You may be focusing on the negatives in your life.

Many folks simply fail to think about what God has done. Some absolutely refuse to even acknowledge God. Note: Interview with Marlyn Manson "The devil has a sense of humor and if God exists He does too…" There are many reasons that a person may not think about the benefits of God, but this morning, I want to encourage you to spend just a few minutes and give it some thought.

Read: Ps 116:1-19

What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?" (Psalm 116:12)

Render = to give in return, give back, restore, reflect, echo, to give in acknowledgement of dependence or obligation

I. What Are His Benefits Toward Us?

A. An Inclined Ear. v2

1. That means He wants to hear from us.

2. He is interested in what we have to say.

3. What's on our hearts…our needs…our struggles.

(Psa 40:1) "I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry."

4. God is interested in our needs and concerns.

5. He is longing to hear from us.

a. If you are a child of God, the Lord wants you to "pray without ceasing".

b. If you do not know the Lord as your personal Savior, He wants to hear from you as well!

(Rom 10:13) "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Psa 34:6) "This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles."

B. Deliverance From Death. v3,8

1. He hears of cries and answers by deliverance!

2. That thief on the cross said simply, 'Lord remember me…' and the Lord answered, 'This day thou shalt be with me in paradise.'

3. The Bible tells us that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.

C. Bountiful Treatment v7

1. The Lord didn't just promise us life, but He promised that life would be abundant and full.

2. It is the quality of life that is important to us, isn't it?

3. A mere existence is one thing, but a life that is full and rewarding…that comes from God.

(Phil 4:19) "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

4. God's Goodness Is Like the Prodigal Son's Father…

(Luke 15:22-23) "But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: {23} And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:"

D. Freedom From Bondage v16

1. The bonds of sin, doubt, and fear is broken.

2. We no longer must be held captive in 'sin's dread sway'.

3. Jesus has given us Truth and the Truth is what sets us free! Cf. Jn 8:32

- His ear is inclined towards us
- He delivers from death
- He abundantly blesses
- He sets us free

(Psa 116:12) "What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?"

II. What Shall We Render (or give back) Unto Him?

A. We should love Him. v1

1. We should love Him because of all His benefits toward us.

2. We should love Him because He has expressed His great love for us.

(John 15:13) "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

3. Do we love Him?

(John 14:15) "If ye love me, keep my commandments."

4. If we do, then we will be obedient to Him.

(1 John 4:16) "And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him."

B. We Should Call Upon Him. v2

(Psa 55:17) "Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice."

(Phil 4:6) "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."

1. Prayer is the basis of fellowship with God.

2. God desires to hear from us.

3. Consider how good it is to hear from a loved one who has been away.

4. Email is great, but there is something special about hearing their voice.

5. Do we talk with the Lord? " 'ere you left your room this morning, did you think to pray?"

C. We Should Walk Before Him. v9

1. Our 'walk' speaks of our testimony to others.

2. It is not a private matter; our Christian walk is public!

(Rom 6:4) "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

3. Jesus told us to let our lights shine before men, that they might see our good works and glorify God in heaven!

4. Being a child of God carries the responsibility of being a witness and testimony to others.

5. We should be willing to 'render' or return to the Lord a willingness to walk uprightly for Him.

D. We Should Receive His Salvation. v13

1. Salvation is a free gift from God.

2. It is up to each one of us, individually, to either receive or reject.

3. God so loved us that He gave Jesus Christ to die in our place…what will we do with that truth?

4. We can reject it or neglect it, but there is no other way of salvation.

(Heb 2:3) "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;"

(Acts 4:12) "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

(Acts 16:31) "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."

(Psa 116:12) "What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?"