We can enjoy our relationship with the Lord. This is the thought expressed in this Psalm. When we consider the words used in this Psalm to describe God—gracious, righteous, merciful, full of compassion—we can’t help but enjoy a relationship with Someone with whom we can find no fault. Saying, “I love God” has powerful implications. It means that we will hold nothing back from God, that we’re willing to give our all to God.
Our relationship with God suffers when we spend all our time trying to get from God rather than trying to learn how we can give more ourselves to God. We plead with God for material desires, and then we offer as little as we can in return. If we want to truly enjoy our relationship with God, then we need to stop trying to get over on God. A good relationship with God begins with really loving God.
Because the Psalmist is enjoying God, he wants to do something for Him. Consider verse 12: “What can I give back to God for the blessings He’s poured out on me?” The question is rhetorical. The psalmist knows that there is nothing that he can do to adequately repay the debt that he owes to God for His goodness, mercy, love and kindness. But even though he can’t be reciprocal, he can be proportionate. He’s saying, “I know that I can’t repay God for all that He’s done for me, but I can do the best that I can. I [can] lift the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. I [can] fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people. I may not be able to fully repay my debt, but because I so much enjoy my relationship with you, I will do what I can. I won’t let what I can’t do prohibit me from doing what I can do.”
A sure sign of enjoying a relationship is when we want to do something to give tangible expression to the joy that we feel. And God knows whether we really enjoy our relationship with Him by what we are willing to do with Him and for Him.
(We invite your comments. Feel free to share this devotion with your friends and invite them to subscribe by forwarding their email address to the Pastor at: fredjeffsmith@gmail.com.)
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