SOAP Journal 04-18-2008 (Psalm 116:12-15)

Scripture:

Psalm 116:12-15 How can I repay the Lord for all his acts of kindness to me? I will celebrate my deliverance, and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord before all his people. The Lord values the lives of his faithful followers.

Observation:

The heart of the delivered servant of the Lord overflows with praise and looks for ways to repay the kindness of God. Ceremony of celebration and fulfilling of vows go a ways towards fixing the inequity of good deeds. They also are a demonstration before others of the devoted, thankful heart. For it is God's heart of caring after the lives of His people that is worthy of such celebration.

Application:

There is no way to repay God for grace. That's why it's grace. The heart desires to "make it up to" God is operating in vain (can't be done), but the reaction of praise and service are appropriate and fitting responses to deliverance and keeping grace. These serve to define the people of God by their actions (and their love for one another and the world) and are used to advance the Kingdom. The value God has in the lives of His people is itself replayed in their hearts. Again, this is how the Kingdom is spread.

Prayer:

Lord, show me Your daily deliverance, the victory at present in action in my life. Then I wlil celebrate as the psalmist, and give You glory for all that You've done. Grant me Your perspective on the value of life so that I would not sin against You in my rage and desire for recompense. In Jesus' name. Amen