Homecoming
What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me? Psalm 116:12 NASB
Render – Well, not exactly. The NASB renders this word (shuv) as “render” but that’s a bit anemic. Shuv is used hundreds of times in Scripture for “return,” (e.g. “Return to Me”). “Render” makes David’s words sound like providing something or causing something to be made or depicted. But “render” does not always include the idea of paying back a debt or fulfilling an obligation. I could render a drawing or render my services. Shuv, on the other hand, requires a context of reciprocal relationship. To return, even if it is about a geographical location, implies that once I was there and now I am going back. To return to the Lord means that I have left Him. When shuv is used in this verse, it carries the strong sense of repayment of an obligation. Literally, “what shall I repay to the Lord?” He has blessed me. I owe Him. What shall I give back to Him in return?
Of course, the first question behind this question is, “What did God give me that I should owe Him?” We don’t have to invoke the Sunday school song, “Count Your Blessings One by One” to answer this question. We are alive. That is enough. That is more than enough. God gave us life. What do we owe in repayment? Life! Measure for measure. If God never gave us any other blessing than the brief span of our existence, we would still owe Him this. We didn’t produce ourselves. We didn’t arrive here by personal design. We do not own our existence. It is a gift – a gift that carries an obligation. Life is divinely reciprocal.
The second preliminary question is this: What kind of obligation is this? Although He could, God does not demand repayment. David is not responding to an IOU. David is contemplating the amazing fact that he exists and he recognizes that this great gift must be acknowledged. David desires to repay in some way the awe and mystery of his own being. The repayment is an act of adoration and thanksgiving. Even if we could count only the one single blessing of life, the inherent obligation is still there, waiting to be confessed. The world begins with awe, perhaps not with the awe of the cosmos but with the awe that I am. My very existence is astonishing. That God would care enough to bring about my being is breathtaking and incredible. That He wishes to weave me into the plan of redemption is shocking and overwhelming. How do I repay such privilege, such concern?
“The greatest problem is not how to continue but how to return. When life is an answer, death is a homecoming.” Abraham Heschel
Are you heading home or are you merely continuing to live? Repayment begins when I decide what I am really doing with my life.
Topical Index: render, repay, shuv, homecoming, Psalm 116:12
I’m heading home.
I’m right there with you Sister!
I’m heading to Israel for 2 weeks. :-))
And, serious payback is definitely on the agenda in preparation to “head home.” I owe Him big time!!
Shalom sisters,
You sisters better make some room for me…. for I am coming along too!
Repayment begins when I decide what I am really doing with my life.
That really hit home when I read that. I chose to raise 4 daughters and pour myself into my role as a Mom, teaching them at home at times, gardening, raising animals on our farm and helping them show horses and take Suzuki piano. Now two are married with families of their own and two are finished with college and graduate studies and in the process of deciding what to do with their lives and all that has been placed in them, ready to give back out. Nothing could thrill a parent more than to see each of them blossom and give back from what is unique to them and how the Lord made them. Such exciting opportunities abound!
My second daughter and her husband have two little girls and are in ministry in a large St. Louis area church. They have been in the process of adopting two little brothers from Ethiopia for almost the past year. So many doors have opened during this process and it has been so exciting to “watch” from afar. We learned that the boys have an Ethiopian Jewish descent and that their names are Hebrew, Surafel and Esrael. My daughter and son in law received their court date for mid April and are awaiting anxiously to travel and go before the judge. Today, friends from Austin who are pastors here, are also in Ethiopia before the judge to adopt two children. Please pray for these families and others that are rescuing orphans and giving them forever homes. The government and Unicef are trying to drastically slow the number of children leaving the country due to child trafficking. There are many factors but we are just asking for prayer that Godly families who have been waiting for children will be able to be united with the ones the Lord has for them. There is a crisis of over 5.5 million orphans in Ethiopia.
My heart is joyful to be a part of this process and see my kids and grandkids make the decision to step out and choose to help the fatherless. My 7 yr. old granddaughter has been praying for her brothers every night asking the Lord to protect them and bring them home. If you would like more information about what is happening with orphans in Ethiopia and how you can help check out this website. We really appreciate your prayers!
http://betheanswerforchildren.wordpress.com/2011/03/08/emergency-campaign-for-ethiopia/
I so enjoyed talking to Skip today and was encouraged to bolg a note about my grandsons 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to call and it is wonderful to be a part of helping the greater family with the many needs that come up in life. We have been through our share of trials and tribulations and know without precious people in Christ, and their willingness to give and share, we would not have gotten through. Bless you for all you do for others and how you share your knowledge of God’s Word.
Sonii N.
Dale, TX (Austin area)
Today’s Word reminded me of something I read from Francis Schaeffer. While I probably cannot quote Francis exactly, his comment was basically that the believer, in believing, is required to bow twice to God, i.e. bowing once to God as Creator (life-giver) and bowing a second time to God as Redeemer (life-redeemer). I like this picture and find it to be the sequence of worship found in Revelation 4:11 and then in Revelation 5:8-14.