Every parent wants their child to not only be a smart person, but a good person who knows how to handle themselves. So in the early days of a child's development, parents will usually teach basic concepts of general ethics such as apologizing when wrong and thanking when receiving kindness. Unfortunately, we often forget the last thing, thanking for the kindness received. Let alone to fellow humans, even to God we forget to be grateful and thankful.

Psalm 116:1-11 tells the story of the dynamics of human life that was hit by crises and difficult situations that seemed to have no way out, but was finally freed because of the mercy of God who always listens to His people who cry out in earnest. In the next section, verses 12-19, the psalmist expresses gratitude and thanks to God for all His works. In a rhetorical expression, he begins his thanksgiving cry: "How shall I repay to the LORD all his benefits to me?" The act of thanks that the psalmist calls for is expressed using the symbol of "lifting up the chalice of salvation." The act is presumably based on certain actions in the ritual of thanksgiving to express gratitude to God for the salvation that he has worked.

Then God's people are invited to give thanks and call upon the name of the Lord always. Making gratitude to God an integral part of the life we live is a natural response to His work. Indeed, no one can truly repay God's perfect love. His salvation, restoration, forgiveness, comfort, and help are all too great to be repaid. However, the psalmist invites us to realize that God does not ask for anything in return; He only wants us to express gratitude that is manifested in all of life.

Let us now express thanks to God always. In our sinfulness we often forget to give thanks. But it is not just a matter of gratitude spoken in words but expressed through thoughts and actions that are always directed and centered on Him.