Vows to the Lord

24 MARCH

I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all His people. Psalm 116:14

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Deuteronomy 23:15-25

David's steadfast piety now shines forth in his willingness to fulfill the vows he made to God when he was in the midst of danger. He did not forget those promises, as most people do. When the hand of God lies heavy upon them, many people ask for God's help, but shortly after receiving that help they soon bury in oblivion the deliverance that they have received. 

In speaking of the true worship of God, the Holy Spirit properly connects by an indissoluble bond these two parts of worship: "Call upon me in the day of trouble" and, after your deliverance, glorify me (Ps. 50:15). If any regard it absurd for the faithful to enter into a covenant with God by making vows to Him in hopes of procuring His approbation, I must explain that they do not promise the sacrifice of praise to soothe Him by flatteries, as if He were mortal like themselves. Also, they do not attempt to bind God to themselves by proposing some reward, for David previously protested that He would not offer any recompense.

The intent of vows, first, is that the children of God may have their hearts strengthened with the confidence of obtaining whatever they ask. Second, it is that they may be stimulated to offer up more gratitude to God for His mercies. The privilege of vowing may surely be conceded to merciful the children of God in their infirmity, for by this means their most merciful Father allows them to enter into familiar conversation with Him, provided thy make their vows for the right purpose. Whatever happens, nothing may be attempted without God's permission.

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION: Many of us might be uncomfortable making vows to God, thinking of that as bargaining with the Almighty. But if we are able to leave behind with the notion of repaying God (as David did), such vows can be a great stimulus for praise, worship, and service. How have you "paid your vows "unto the LORD"?

365 Days With Calvin

Selected and Edited by Joel R Beeke

The Wonder of His Benefits

23 MARCH

What shall I render unto the LORD for all His benefits toward me? Psalm 116:12

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Psalm 136

The psalmist now exclaims that the multitude of God's benefits to him is so great that he cannot find adequate language to express His gratitude. His question is emphatic, What shall I render unto the LORD?, indicating that it was not his desire but the means that were inadequate to render thanks to God. Acknowledging this inability, the psalmist uses the only means in his power to extol the grace of God. He seems to say, "I am exceedingly wishful to discharge my duty, but when I look around me, I find nothing that will prove an adequate recompense."

He cannot offer to God sufficient compensation for His benefits, the psalmist says, adding that he felt obligated to do so not just for one series of benefits but for a variety of innumerable benefits. "There is no benefit on account of which God has not made me a debtor to Him; how should I have the means of repaying Him for them?" he seems to ask. Since the means of recompense fails him, the expression of thanksgiving is the only thing he can offer that will be acceptable to God.

David's example teaches us not to treat God's benefits lightly or carelessly, for if we estimate them according to their value, that very thought ought to fill us with admiration. Each one of us has had God's benefits heaped upon us. But our pride, which carries us away into extravagant theories, causes us to forget this very doctrine of God's generosity towards us. Nonetheless, that ought to engage our unremitting attention. Furthermore, God's bounty toward us merits more praise because He expects no recompense from us, nor can receive any, for He stands in need of nothing, and we are poor and destitute in all things.

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION: It is so easy to think that certain blessings are owed to us, but this is not a proper way to cultivate thankfulness to God. David's perspective is much healthier; his praise flows out of recognizing the wonder of these blessings and their source in God. What impact could this perspective have on your day today?

365 Days With Calvin 

Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke

Triumphing in Praise

16 MARCH

Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto Thy holy name, and to triumph in Thy praise. Psalm 106:47

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Acts 2:40-47

This psalm was composed during the sad and calamitous dispersion of the people of Israel. It was necessary for the people to be completely humbled to prevent them from further murmuring against God's dispensations. Seeing that God had extended pardon to their fathers, who were undeserving of it, he aimed to inspire their children with the hope of forgiveness, provided they carefully and cordially sought to be reconciled to Him. This was especially the case because of God solemnly remembering His covenant with them. Through faith they might draw near to God, even though His anger had not yet turned away.

Moreover, God had chosen them to be His peculiar people, so they could call upon Him to collect into one body their dissevered and bleeding members. For, according to the prediction of Moses, "If any of Thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee, and from thence will He fetch thee" (Deut. 30:4). This prediction eventually came true when the widely separated multitude was gathered together and grew in the unity of the faith. For polity, yet they were grafted with the Gentiles into the body of Christ, which was a more preferable gathering.

Wherever they were, the children of God were united with each other and to the Gentile converts by the holy and spiritual bond of faith. Together they constituted one church that extended over the whole earth. They came together to fulfill the purpose of their redemption from captivity, namely, that they might celebrate the name of God and employ themselves continually in praising Him.

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION: The psalmist asks for deliverance for the people of Israel so that they might give thanks and triumph in praising God. This is a great lesson for us to remember when we ask the Lord for blessings: our ultimate motive should be His glory, not simply our comfort. What means can we use to learn this transforming lesson more profoundly and consistently?

365 Days With Calvin

Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke

The Purpose of the Sabbath

8 MARCH

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto Thy name, O most High. Psalm 92:1

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Isaiah 1:12-18

As the psalm’s inscription says, the Jews were in the habit of singing Psalm 92 on the Sabbath day. It is apparent in other passages that other psalms were also applied to this use. As the words may be literally read in the Hebrew, it is good for giving thanks unto the LORD. The psalmist says it is good to have a certain day set apart for singing the praises of God; it is a useful arrangement that one day is chosen on which the Lord’s people can celebrate God’s works.

The reason the psalmist dedicates this psalm to the Sabbath is obvious. The day is not to be holy in the sense of our being devoted to idleness, as if idleness could be acceptable worship to God, but in the sense of separating ourselves from all other occupations so that we can meditate upon divine works. Because our minds are inconstant, we are apt to wander from God when exposed to various distractions. We need to be disentangled from all cares if we would seriously apply ourselves to the praises of God.

The psalmist teaches us that rightly observing the Sabbath does not consist of idleness, as some absurdly imagine, but in the celebration of the divine name. The argument that he makes is drawn from the profitableness of service, for nothing is more encouraging than to know that our labor is not in vain and that what we engage in meets with divine approbation.

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION: The Lord did not give us the Sabbath so that we might fritter it away doing nothing unprofitable. It is given so that we might focus on Him and on His Word, and keeping it as a matter of the heart. Take a moment to re-examine how you spend your Sabbaths. Is there room for improvement?

365 Days With Calvin

Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke

A Willing Sacrifice

26 FEBRUARY

I will freely sacrifice unto Thee: I will praise Thy name, O LORD; for it is good. Psalm 54:6

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: 1 Samuel 1

If deliverance is granted to David, he promises he will offer sacrifice and praise in gratitude. There can be no doubt here that David will return thanks to God in a formal manner when he has the opportunity to do so. 

Though God principally looks at the inward sentiment of the heart, he does not excuse the neglect of such rites that the law has prescribed. David promises to testify his appreciation of the favor that he received from God in the manner common to all the people of God. His sacrifice thus becomes the means of exciting others to their duty by his example.

He would also freely sacrifice. David does not allude here to the fact that sacrifices of thanksgiving were at the option of worshipers, but rather that he would pay his vow with alacrity and cheerfulness after he had escaped his present dangers. 

In general, men make big promises to God when they are under the pressure of affliction, but after they are under the pressure of affliction, but after they are rescued they soon relapse into the carelessness that is natural to them and forget the goodness of the Lord. But David truly promises to sacrifice freely and in another manner than the hypocrite, whose religion is the offspring of servility and constraint.

This passage teaches us that we cannot look for acceptance in the presence of God unless we also bring to His service a willing mind. 

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION: It is easy to promise service and devotion when we need God's deliverance. But let us make sure that, by God's grace, we follow through with what we promised to demonstrate our thankfulness to God.

365 Days With Calvin 

Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke