Cup of Salvation
Originally scheduled for June 4
Have you ever been in a situation where you owed somebody a
really big favor? Sometimes it can feel embarrassing if you don’t
have a way to repay such a favor, or at least you don’t have it
right with you. What would you do when a person in position of power
pulls a string on your behalf?
·
At the very least, of course, you say “thank you.” Your mother
raised you to be polite, this is the polite thing to do. But in
general it doesn’t cover the social debt for something major.
·
Of course, you not only need to say “thank you” but you have to
demonstrate it in a positive action. What that action might be
depends on the circumstances, but you should remain alert for the
opportunity.
Now, if that’s how you would treat a favor given to
you by a good friend, how should you react to God in light of all
the benefits he’s given you? David put the question this way:
What shall I render to the LORD For all His benefits toward me?
(Psalms 116:12 NASB)
He then gives us the answer.
I shall
lift up the cup of salvation And call upon the name of the LORD. I
shall pay my vows to the LORD, Oh may it be in the presence of all
His people.
(Psalms 116:13-14 NASB)
We shall take them
in reverse order.
· Pay
your vows. Have you ever promised the Lord that you would do
something — or give up something — and later just quietly forgot
about it? Did you think God has forgotten about it too? Perhaps it’s
time to revisit your promise to God.
·
Call upon his name. Many of us are quite good at calling on the name
of God — after we have called on every other possible resource.
That’s the wrong way around. Go to God in prayer and ask him for
what you need; rely upon his promises. Your attitude counts.
·
Then, lift the cup of salvation. The phrase occurs in the Bible only
in verse 13. Is it prophetic of communion? C. H. Spurgeon thought
so. We may take it as such. The cup of salvation you lift is the cup
of communion. When you partake, you proclaim yourself to be a
disciple of Christ.
So, then, examine yourself. Have you made a
promise to God you haven’t kept? Are you relying on everyone else
but God, or do you put him first in your list? Real Christian faith
counts on God to deliver. Then, having sorted things out with God,
partake of the cup this morning in remembrance of your Lord’s blood.
His blood is the way of forgiveness, the cup of salvation. In
communion you proclaim yourself to be a faithful Christian. Let your
actions match your words.
