There are times when our words simply fall short of adequately expressing the thanks that we feel…. I found myself in just such a “place” a few days ago while I was praying with a close friend….

As I listened to the words of thanks coming out of their heart and into their mouth – my heart too, began to swell with thanksgiving and the growing realization.. that I would NEVER  be able to find enough words to thank God for Jesus my Savior – and all the prayers He has answered, and all the good things that He has done for me and brought into my life…..Then in the midst of that realization.. I heard Him speak this scripture in my spirit ..“What shall I render (give in return) to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?” Psalm 116:12 – Then He Himself answers that question in the very next verse as He tells us “to take the “cup” of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord.”…..

What does that mean?  He is simply telling us to acknowledge Him.. acknowledge His benefits and blessings – even those things/benefits (Psalm 103:1-5; Ephesians 1:3; II Peter 1:3) that came to us – and belong to us when we receive Jesus into our life.  In Ephesians 1:16-19  He even tells us how to pray that we might more fully see and understand these things….

To give a simple example, God is “like an earthly father” who loves His children, gives them certain benefits and blessings…. And all that father asks of those children is that they recognize and remember that He gave those things to them… AND USE THEM… call on Him for what  they need from those benefits He has told them belong to them as His sons and daughters.

So, how can I thank Him when words alone are not sufficient to express my thanks  for all the benefits He has given to me?…  I think perhaps better than anything more I could say to answer that here – would be to share what God says to us in His word in III John verses 2-4….

(Paraphrased) “Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health… even as you renew your thinking to the truth which I have spoken unto you… I rejoice greatly to know that the truth is in you – and that you are walking according to it.  I have no greater joy than to know that My children walk in truth.”  That – in a nutshell – expresses what He wants and needs from us – when our words alone are not enough.