What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me?
Psalm 116:12 (ESV)
Lord, on this Thanksgiving morning, my soul asks itself this very question: what can I give You for all the benefits You have bestowed upon me? How can I ever repay You for all You have done for me? Even as the psalmist begins a high-level, top line attempt to expound on what You have done, I have often tried myself to list the many blessings You have poured into my life. And like the psalmist, my list always comes dreadfully short, never truly scratching the surface. I mean, Lord, as I think about it, by one act of love towards me You changed my life – past, present and future!
- From a past perspective, You connected the dots in my mind about my journey – the mistakes I have made, the failings I am most broken about, and even the highs I am most proud of – and You gave them gospel purpose as it pertains to my life. You have showed me how they all fit together to bring me first to the salivation of my soul, then to this point in my life of service to You. You showed me how You have caused all things to work together for my good, how You have been orchestrating my entire life, all the events, to bring me to the place of calling for You to come into my life.
- From a present perspective, You are continually ministering to me, purifying me by exposing that which is not like You and grafting into my heart the Living Word. You showed me how You working in me to transform me everyday into the image of my Savior, sanctifying me and leading me by Your Holy Spirit, building day in and day out on that glorious foundation that You have recreated in me. Words do not begin to convey the supernatural, incomprehensible miracle that takes place when I say You walk with me and talk with me, that You are always right here with me, and that I am always safe and secure in Your presence.
- From a future perspective, You have placed within the depths of my soul a living hope, causing me to look with excited anticipation not on things that are but instead on things to come. You continually remind me in my daily walk with You that this is not my home, that I am looking for a city whose architect and builder is You, encouraging me to set my sights not on things of this earth but on things in Heaven. In the here and right now, You have proven Your faithfulness to me time and time again, causing me to look at the troubles and challenges of the near future with peace, knowing that You can handle anything that comes my way. And You will.
To all this, my soul asks what can I render to You for all You have done for me? Thanks does not feel like enough, but I have to say it: Thank You! Thank You for seeing me and loving me and saving me in spite of me. Thank You for working in and around me to form and shape me into who You have purposed me to be. Thank You for giving me a hope and future that eyes have not seen nor ears heard, yet giving me a glimmer of what is to come. Thank You for surrounding me with loved ones, in my past, present and future, who are committed to me and are being used by You to leave Your fingerprints on my life. Thank You for providing for me in the past, making provision for me right now, and securing that my future needs will be met. Lord, I could go on and on. All kinds of things are flooding my spirit right now. I just want to say thank You!
LORD, I am eternally grateful for what You have done, are doing and are going to do for me. The psalmist expressed my testimony perfectly for me, “I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. (Psalm 116:1)” I love You Father. I love You Jesus. I love You Holy Spirit. And I worship You and give You thanks for all You have done for me today and everyday. I don’t need a special day because You have made everyday special. Thank You!