It’s a good question . . . one that perhaps isn’t asked often because of grace . . . yet probably should be asked more . . . because of grace. The very concept of grace reminds me that there’s nothing I bring to the work of salvation . . . no merit . . . no righteous acts . . . nothing I can do. Salvation, the forgiveness of sins . . . the rescuing from darkness . . . the securing of the soul for eternity . . . every aspect and every iota of salvation relies upon the finished work of Christ upon the cross on my behalf. Mine is to confess the need for such a work . . . mine is to believe that such a work is sufficient to cleanse me from all sin . . . mine is to humbly bow before the One who is my Savior and own Him as Lord. Mine is to receive the gift by faith . . . apart from anything that I might think myself capable of doing. So maybe that’s why the question isn’t asked as often as it should be . . .

What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits to me?   (Psalm 116:12 ESV)

But the question isn’t what shall I render to merit His benefits for me. Rather it’s a question that asks how can I respond to the benefits of God’s grace? . . . what can I return? . . . as the recipient, what can I give back to the Giver? Again, not that the rendering of anything I have somehow pays off the debt . . . or that by giving something back to God He somehow becomes more justified in forgiving me in the first place. Instead, the rendering is a recognition of the mercy of God in not giving me what I deserve . . . an acknowledgment of the grace of God in imparting to me that which I didn’t deserve . . . an appreciation of the righteousness of God freely given to me in and through His blessed Son. What shall I render to the LORD?

I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.   (Psalm 116:13 ESV)

This is the only place in Scripture where this exact phrase, the cup of salvation, is used. And the Psalmist says, “I will lift it up and call on Your Name.”

Brings to mind a lifting of a glass as part of a toast . . . as part of honoring an esteemed guest . . . as part of recognizing a noteworthy accomplishment. It also brings to mind the lifting of the cup of the drink offering . . . poured out over the sacrifice . . . turned to steam as it hits the flame . . . ascending heavenward as a sweet smelling offering. And certainly brings to mind the taking of the cup around the Lord’s table . . . a bittersweet remembrance of the sufferings of the Lamb of God . . . of the poverty He endured . . . that I might know the riches of heaven.

It’s a cup of remembrance . . . a cup of honor . . . a cup of thanksgiving.

And the contents of the cup? . . . the substance of the offering? . . . the nature of the fine liquid lifted toward heaven? . . . it is my salvation.

So much to get caught up with in “doing life” in general . . . so much trying just to do the Christian life . . . that sometimes our salvation becomes “old news.” Meetings to attend . . . songs to sing . . . messages to hear . . . duties to fulfill . . . prayers to pray . . . fellowship to enjoy . . . as someone has once said, “Run, saint, run!” Sometimes, I just need to be still . . . take a breath . . . come back to the basics . . . Jesus loves me this I know . . . For God so love the world that He gave His one and only Son . . . Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.

Oh that I wouldn’t wait for the first Sunday of the month to take the cup of remembrance and reflect on the price paid for my salvation. That I might take up the cup of salvation on a regular basis and pour it upon the altar of sacrifice expressing heartfelt thanksgiving for the His wondrous work of grace in my life. That I might take the cup of salvation . . . hoist it heavenward . . . and declare, “Great are You, LORD!”

Lift the cup . . .