What shall I return to the LORD
  for all his goodness to me? — Psalm 116:12

In loving memory of my father, Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, I share with you his devotions expressing his passion for family, for passing on his faith, and the importance of living a faith-filled life.

Think of a time when you have been the beneficiary of such kindness that you simply had no words to thank the giver. How about our parents, our friends and family who have supported and loved us – can we ever thank them enough? How about God, who gave us everything that we have, including our very lives? Can we ever sufficiently thank Him?

In Psalm 116, King David found himself asking this very question: “What shall I return to the LORD for all his goodness to me?” King David described a time when he had been close to death and then was saved by God. He said that God stopped his tears from flowing and his feet from stumbling.

The Jewish sages explain that this psalm was written when David ascended the throne after his long-time adversary, Saul, was finally dead. At this joyous moment David was overflowing with gratitude. But how could he, a mere mortal, thank God? What could he give to the One who lacks nothing?

Here is David’s answer: “I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD” (v. 13). The sages explain that this is referring to the wine libation, a part of the thanksgiving offering that David would bring to God. David gave back to God in the way that God had prescribed: by bringing Him sacrifices.

But what can we, who no longer have the option of bringing sacrifices to the Lord, give to God today?

The Hebrew word for sacrifices is karbon, which comes from the word karob, meaning “close.” The sacrifices brought to God were not about the meat or wine or flour that was presented to Him. It was about the closeness made possible by the sacrifice. By serving God, the worshipper became closer to Him. As the prophets explained time and time again, God has no desire for mere rituals. What God wants is us.

God wants our hearts. He wants to be a part of our lives. He wants us to turn to Him in prayer, with our troubles and our gratitude. As our loving Father in heaven, He wants nothing more than closeness with His children. God loves us infinitely, but to have a relationship, we need to love Him back.

When we offer up our prayers, we bring a gift to God. When we sit and read our Bible, we give a gift to God. When we apply the teachings to our lives and make God the focus of our lives, we give Him great pleasure. God gave us our bodies; we bring Him our soul.