God Deserves Our Whole Heart!
Ps. 9:1
I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.
In his "I will" statement, the Psalmist has concluded, from the depth of his heart, that he owes God every ounce of worship due to Him. He determines that he should declare and give his voice to no one else but God for all the work that He has done in his life.
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The heart is a delicate part of our being. It tells the stories of our journey. It says something differently about each person. When it comes to our Creator, we conclude that He is worthy of our praise. It is with the mouth that we acknowledge God's existence in our lives. It is evident in Scripture that we must guard our hearts (Prov. 4:27). The heart also reveals God's character (Ps. 119:11). The sanctification process furthers us into contentment with God's grace and wondrous works. He works immeasurably on our behalf. He created us and gave us a new name with further purpose to honor and serve Him. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths." Trusting in the Lord is to walk with confidence, certainty, and dependence, knowing He is the life-giver! He is our portion! He is our rock! We praise God with our "whole heart" by attributing everything we are and have to Him. Romans 14:8 says, "For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's." If our lives are in Jesus' hands, our trust only depends on His rule, sacrifice, and power!
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Some Christians believe that God does not deserve their voice. Yes, they can speak the truth well where they are comfortable. They talk well with great intentions in church and around their family and friends. Some believe it doesn't take proclaiming God's goodness to everyone. My only conclusion for this idea would be that they are safe-seeking Christians. What they have is only suitable for those who understand the truth, but the fear of rejection and disappointment sets in to minister to those who are perishing. When the Word (Logos) is in your heart, you tell the entire story! He is something that you cannot contain. Years ago, if I were having an ordinary conversation with an unbeliever I did not know, I would talk like I talk to a family member or a friend. However, in the conversation, I would find myself including the Lord. This spontaneous action would redirect the initial conversation, and guess what? God would spark a new conversation about Him. Jeremiah said it this way, "Then I said, I will not make mention of Him, nor speak anymore in His name. But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, And I could not." He was saying, This is my identity! This God is the one who has formed me, and no individual can persuade me otherwise. I cannot contain who He is in my life. It is in my spiritual DNA! Therefore, even if I were to suppress him, my spiritual man goes beyond my flesh, and I continue to proclaim His truth. The Psalmist didn’t hold back his praises to God; Jeremiah couldn’t contain it, and if it is in your spiritual DNA, you will proclaim His marvelous works in your life!
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Let me ask you a few questions: How deep is your love for God? Are you serving the Lord with your whole heart? Is it easy for you to contain the Word of God just in your heart? Are you like the Psalmist who could not contain God's message and marvelous works? Amen.
Encourage and Be Encouraged!