Chuckle of relief

Albert Bogle June 15, 2026 2 0

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Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 (MSG)

1-2 I love God because he listened to me,
    listened as I begged for mercy.
He listened so intently
    as I laid out my case before him.
Death stared me in the face,
    hell was hard on my heels.
Up against it, I didn’t know which way to turn;
    then I called out to God for help:

 

12-19 What can I give back to God
    for the blessings he’s poured out on me?
I’ll lift high the cup of salvation—a toast to God!
    I’ll pray in the name of God;
I’ll complete what I promised God I’d do,
    and I’ll do it together with his people.
When they arrive at the gates of death,
    God welcomes those who love him.
Oh, God, here I am, your servant,
    your faithful servant: set me free for your service!
I’m ready to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice
    and pray in the name of God.
I’ll complete what I promised God I’d do,
    and I’ll do it in company with his people,
In the place of worship, in God’s house,
    in Jerusalem, God’s city.
Hallelujah!

Psalm 116 is a psalm all about spiritual resilience. If Sarah struggles to believe in the promises of God and expresses her disappointment in a cynical laugh, the writer of this psalm, you might say, has a quiet chuckle of relief to himself as he speaks about the trustworthiness of God’s promises. I find the phrasing in verse 12 quite moving, as the psalmist asks himself the question, “How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?”

This is surely a question we all need to ask ourselves. Of course, the proper theological answer is that we cannot repay God — but the human response of the heart is one of pure gratitude for all we have received.

Perhaps, like the psalmist, we can all chuckle with a smile inside, reflecting on the goodness of God toward us during our own times of anxiety and fear. In doing so, I often find myself drawn to make good on the promises made during those days of struggle and upheaval. I guess that is why the phrase, “How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?” is an ongoing question we all need to ask ourselves. Living out our lives as ‘Salt and Light’ as bright stars lighting the way for others is all part of the purpose of our lives as people of God.

Prayer:

Lord,

You have given me the chuckle

To express a feeling I have

It’s a feeling that says:

“I knew you would not let me remain broken”

I guess that is why I am moved by the psalmist

To shed a tear and a chuckle

When he says:

“How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?”

There are no words

No deeds

No actions

That can return to you

What you have given me

So accept my chuckle

My smile

My inner sense of confidence in you

Be my response of gratitude

And by your grace

Let my resilience and laughter

Be to the world Salt and Light