April 6, 2015: Psalm 116:1-2,12-19

We encourage you to read this devotion three times a day.  Start in the morning and reflect upon the morning reflection question. Then in the afternoon, read it again and reflect using the noon question for reflection.  For the evening, take time to ponder how this has resonated with you in the day and reflecting using the evening question.  We offer a prayer with each devotion for you to pray or we invite you to pray what is in your heart.

Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19

1 I love the Lord, because he has heard

    my voice and my supplications.

2 Because he inclined his ear to me,

    therefore I will call on him as long as I live.

12 What shall I return to the Lord

    for all his bounty to me?

13 I will lift up the cup of salvation

    and call on the name of the Lord,

14 I will pay my vows to the Lord

    in the presence of all his people.

15 Precious in the sight of the Lord

    is the death of his faithful ones.

16 O Lord, I am your servant;

    I am your servant, the child of your serving girl.

    You have loosed my bonds.

17 I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice

    and call on the name of the Lord.

18 I will pay my vows to the Lord

    in the presence of all his people,

19 in the courts of the house of the Lord,

    in your midst, O Jerusalem.

Praise the Lord!

Reflection:

 I love this Psalm because it paints the perfect picture of Christians and why we are called to live a Christian life and serve God. I have had people ask me, are Christians trying to work their way into heaven with good works? NO, we believe that we can never be good enough or do enough good works to deserve salvation or heaven. Then, they will ask, “if you do not believe living this way will get you into heaven, then why do you want to talk about Christian living and doing good, helping others, ect?” The answer is we our desire to serve God is a response to what God has already done for us.  The Psalm says “What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me?” God has given so much to us, that living our lives in a way that is pleasing is a natural response. It is not to earn something, but a response to something that was freely given.

Reflection Questions

Morning: How has God blessed you?

Noon: How do you respond to those blessings?

Evening: How have you sensed God at work in your life today?