Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my supplications.
Verse 2Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
Verse 3The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish.
Verse 4Then I called on the name of the Lord: "O Lord, I pray, save my life!"
Verse 12What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me?
Verse 13I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord,
Verse 14I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.
Verse 15Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones.
Verse 16O Lord, I am your servant; I am your servant, the child of your serving girl. You have loosed my bonds.
Verse 17I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice and call on the name of the Lord.
Verse 18I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people,
Verse 19in the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord!
Devotion
You have been gone for more than a year. During the year you have dealt with the death of comrades and strangers and the struggles of war. Finally you have started the countdown. Fifty-five days – then home. Not going to happen! Word comes and you are extended 125 days. As it is announced to your soldiers, you scan the crowd wondering which soldier will not go home, or will go home with parts missing. You ask God for one thing …
We are now on the other side of mercy. I hope you are, too. I hope the internal and external wars are over and you have arrived on the other side. If this is true, join the psalmist and lift up the cup of salvation, call on the name of the Lord, fulfill the vows of combat and give an offering to the Lord. You have been delivered!
Prayer
Lord, thank you for coming to us in times of trouble and distress. Thank you for bringing us to the other side and once again putting praise upon our lips. Amen.