WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL
AUGUST 30, 2026
TOPIC: WHAT CAN I OFFER THE LORD FOR ALL HE HAS DONE FOR ME?
BY T. O. BANSO
“What can I offer the Lord for all he has done for me?” (Psalm 116:12 New Living Translation).
Thanksgiving is one thing that believers must be reminded of from time to time. It cannot be overemphasised. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (New King James Version). Good thinkers are good thanksgivers.
The psalmist asks an important question in Psalm 116:12: “What shall I render to the Lord
for all His benefits toward me?” (New King James Version). The New Living Translation puts it thus: “What can I offer the Lord for all he has done for me?” This is a good way to think every day as a grateful child of God. It is not to complain or accuse God concerning the challenges of life.
The psalmist proceeds to answer this question. We can learn from his answer, as we thank God for all He has done for us. In verses 13-14 of Psalm 116, the psalmist mentions what he will do: “I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord now in the presence of all His people” (New King James Version). The Good News Translation puts the passage this way: “I will bring a wine offering to the Lord, to thank him for saving me. In the assembly of all his people I will give him what I have promised.”
From the psalmist’s answer, I have identified three things we can offer to the Lord for all He has done for us.
1. Give a thanksgiving offering to the Lord to appreciate Him. As seen in the Good News Translation of the last scripture, the psalmist says he will bring a wine offering to the Lord, to thank him for saving him. You can’t pay God for all that He has done for you, but you can show appreciation. Verse 17a of Psalm 116 says, “I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving.” (New King James Version). You can give the Lord a thanksgiving offering. I am not talking of verbal appreciation of the Lord, but of giving material things to thank Him. Offer your money or any material thing as a sacrifice of thanksgiving (Psalm 107:22a). Let it come from your heart. Give cheerfully, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).
2. Pray to the Lord. Obviously, the prayer here is not about making petitions or requests, but about thanksgiving. Thank God with words and songs. Express your appreciation to the Lord verbally. Recall specific things He has done for you and thank Him. Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving (Psalm 147:7). The psalmist says in verse 13b of Psalm 116 that he will praise the Lord’s name for saving him.
3. Pay your vows without delay. The psalmist says he will pay his vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people (Psalm 116:14, 18). In Psalm 22:25, David says he will fulfil his vows before those who fear the LORD.
Vows are not compulsory, but once you make them, you should fulfil them. Pay your vows promptly; the Bible forbids failure to fulfil your vows (Deuteronomy 23:21-23; Numbers 30:1-2; Ecclesiastes 5:4-6; Psalm 76:11; Proverbs 20:25). Psalm 50:14 says, “Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High.” (New King James Version). Have you paid your vows to the Lord?
What have you offered to the Lord for all He has done for you? Or what will you offer to Him? Always give thanks for everything (Ephesians 5:20). Enter His gates with thanksgiving; be thankful to Him, and bless His name (Psalm 100:4). Come before His presence with thanksgiving; shout joyfully to Him with psalms or hymns of thanks (Psalm 95:2). Magnify Him with thanksgiving. David says, “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving” (Psalm 69:30 New King James Version). Do the same thing.
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you must repent of your sins and confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour now. Please take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself, and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life, your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your heart. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, and Bible-practising church. There, you will be taught how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner, and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me, and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I invite Jesus into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You must join a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, and Bible-practising church where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
PRAYER POINTS: Father, I thank You for everything You have done for my family and me. I thank You for healing, protection, deliverance, and provision. Thank You for Your guidance and leadership. I am grateful for what money can buy that you have done for me and for what money cannot buy. Thank you for everything You have done for me.
(For over 900 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).
T. O. Banso is the President of Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
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