How Can I Repay?

Recently, my son and I watched the wonderful musical, Les Miserables. Although I have been blessed to have been able to see this production on stage, this big-screen version brought on new perspective. It was filmed live and therefore brings a very real and raw aspect to the story and it's characters. The scene that became more deep and alive for me was when the lead character, Jean Valjean, a fugitive, was taken in by a priest. The man fed him and cared for him only to have Valjean steal precious silver from his home. After being caught, the authorities brought him before the priest to show of his guilt, however, the priest told them that he was not guilty and that he gave Valjean the costly items. He was released and not charged. The priest believed there was goodness in Jean Valjean and allowed him to leave and keep the silver to start his life over. Valjean was forever changed by the priest's forgiving and gracious heart.

In our next verse of thanks, I am reminded of the debt that we owe to our High Priest and King. Though, He too, wants no payment for our redemption.

"Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done." Psalm 105:1

This psalm's theme is that the Lord has remembered His covenant with Abraham. It is a call to worship and trust the Lord because of His saving acts in giving Abraham's descendants, Israel, the land of Canaan. It is a vow of loyalty to God, to trust in Him alone.

As I studied this verse, I came across this psalm, which revealed to me the message that God wanted me to share: "How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?" (Psalm 116:12) The answer is... I can't. I have nothing to offer God that would be equal to His giving up His only Son, Jesus, to die a brutal death on the cross at Calvary. Nothing.

But, like the priest in Les Mis, my heavenly father doesn't want payment for his forgiveness for my sins. Jesus already paid the price. The only thing that He desires, and that I can give, is my worship. My praise. My thanks. I can call on his name. In Joel 2:32 it tells me that everyone that worships God and prays to Him will be saved. And in Acts 2:21 it says the same words, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." However, mere words are not quite enough. My words must be wrapped in faith and my response must be pure. Meaning that not only do I have to change my mind about my desires and this world, but I need a radical change in my life as a whole. God wants me to turn away from sin and turn to Him or return to Him (depending on where I'm at in my faith walk).

Jesus, our High Priest, wants no payment for our sins. He knows the goodness in each and every one of us, His children. As a good and gracious father He believes in us, and wants only for us to believe in Him.

"And be thankful." Colossians 3:15b