What shall I return to the Lord for all His goodness to me? Psalm 116:12
“I know that my God is not merely the bounteous Bestower of my life, the generous Provider for all my needs, the pitiful Consoler of all my sorrows, the wise Guide of my course: but that He is far more than all that. He saves me with an abundant deliverance: He is my eternal Preserver, the portion of my inheritance, my glory…
’What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits towards me?’ (Psalm 116:12). Reason and natural justice alike move me to give up myself wholly to loving Him to whom I owe all that I have and am. But faith shows me that I should love Him far more than I love myself, as I come to realize that He hath given me not my own life only, but even Himself.”
Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) in On Loving God (Grand Rapids: CCEL), p. 12.
Remember the word ‘goodness’ in the Old Testament points to God’s generosity. Today’s Scripture leans into our response or return to the Lord.
Bernard directs our attention to the fact that God is Bestower, Provider, Consoler, Guide, and Preserver. But He does not stop there. He reminds us that God loves us so much, that He has given us Himself.
So the only right return is to give ourselves wholly to God – all we are and all we have – and even to love Him more than we love ourselves. But what do we do about this practically?
Take five minutes to read Psalm 103 and list anything that comes to mind, any benefits you feel God has done for you. Then sit in silence in awe of the God who loves you so much and worship Him.
Then ask the Holy Spirit to guide your return today. This is not a one time act but your return or response today. Remember, if you do something generous, God will often replenish your supply for more generosity tomorrow.
And conclude by resolving afresh to give yourself to God. Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything.