Romans 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

“Give him his dues.”

That is what we say don’t we? He has earned his spot. He worked hard to get where he is in life. His reputation is well earned. Even if it is a salary, being paid to do a job, your rendering is a matter of earning the wage you signed up for in the beginning. If you do not render profit, you have not earned your wage and you are subject to dismissal. It is all the sense of owing.

That is a change from the origin of the word according to the Hebrew usage. In various designs the meaning of render in the Old Testament was meant to be a returning of that which was lost. To return, to turn back, to repent was the original design. It was to restore back to God that which was lost to Him.

Over the years Israel tried to render unto God and kept failing. Continually man made daily sacrifices to a God who had no use for sacrifice. Why do I say that? Because God did not keep them.

Numbers 18:9 This shall be thine of the most holy things, reserved from the fire: every oblation of their’s, every meat offering of their’s, and every sin offering of their’s, and every trespass offering of their’s which they shall render unto me, shall be most holy for thee and for thy sons.

He gave His portion to the priests who did not share in the inheritance of the land, God was their portion. Ref. Numbers 18:24

So why the change? Why did the meaning and intent of render change?

Matthew 18:11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

God came in the incarnate Christ and took back unto Himself that which was lost to Him. This changed everything, forever.

 

Galatians 5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

Yesterday morning I woke up like I have never awoken, perhaps in my whole life. Restored, rested, rejuvenated, alert, with deep deep insight. I was really excited about the day. No one around me felt this way. As much as I would like, it didn’t happen for them. It was my day.

I had something so deeply moving about the bible to share, words failed to capture the depth of the importance. It seemed important, it seemed life affirming, it was more than worthy to share. I could wait to get home to this computer to get it all down.

Then as I came down steps in the dark I missed the last step, twisted my ankle and down I went. I felt for sure I had opened an ugly flesh wound where my left elbow took the initial impact. It had not, but it is bruised. My whole felt the jarring effect of soft old body hitting cold hard ground.

This morning I woke up stiff and sore. I can hardly move without something in my body screaming don’t. What a difference a day makes. I was so up yesterday, today, not so much. So what do I make of it?

If God were to hinder me I would know what to do. If Satan were to hinder me, I would know what to do. What if I am the hindrance? Now what do I do? Well I am not going to whine about it. Yesterday was a glorious day and I still have the memory of how that felt. But we do live in the now don’t we? It is the now moment that we have to deal with.

My body is in pain, but it hasn’t changed who I am. I demands attention but it doesn’t have to distract me from what is really important. I have a mouth, I have eyes and ears, and they all still woke fine. I can maintain relationship, gratitude and joy because those things do not require anything more than a will to be in the moment. They are not dependent on anything that is broken or hurting.

I will get over this. Some who suffer will not. Their lot is heavier than mine and I have no right to claim understanding for the longevity of suffering. We are not what happens to us. Our inabilities are not who we are in Christ. In Christ we are victorious and no matter how we feel today, there is going to be a day for us all when we wake up restored, refreshed and alive like we have never felt before.

Psalm 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.