As I opened God's Word this morning, the phrase above, written by David, was the first I read. It hit me so powerfully that I burst into tears. There are times when His presence is so palpable, our hearts overflow in wordless worship.
Giving thanks to God with all our heart. I recall years ago attending the "Walk Thru The Bible" seminar and during the course of the day we were taught that Saul had "no heart" for God, Solomon had a "half heart" for the Lord, but David had a "whole heart" commitment. We really all fall under one of those three categories. We either do not know the Lord as our personal Saviour, "no heart", we are believers but not living fully devoted to following Him, "half heart", or we have surrendered our everything for His anything with hearts completely surrendered to Him, "whole heart".
1 Kings 14:8 tells us that David was a man who followed God with all his heart. He had unwavering commitment to the Lord. It does not mean that he was perfect, but his heart was in such a place that he prioritized the Lord and when he failed, genuine repentance followed.
Deuteronomy 6:5 instructs us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and strength. God desires wholehearted devotion, yet 2 Chronicles 16:9 implies that this kind of love for the Lord is rarely found. "The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." God is constantly looking for hearts that are abandoned to Him. Fully committed. No compromise. Completely His.
How I long for all my praise, thanks, love, ministry, entire life to be a whole heart expression to the Lord. In humility I fall to my knees knowing the times my "no heart" or "half heart" have directed my thoughts, emotions and actions. As I envision His eyes moving to and fro, do they ever stop and consider me...or you? Do our lives ever receive His pause? He longs to show Himself strong on our behalf. "It remains to be seen what God will do with a man who gives himself up wholly to Him." (Henry Varley to D. L. Moody)
As this year is moving quickly towards its end, we can resolve today, at this moment to come to the Lord with our whole heart, with either new or renewed devotion. A whole heart gives thanks, trusts, honours and praises the Lord at all times. I think that is why my tears flowed so instantly today. I long for my heart so desperately to follow the Lord in this way, yet see all the times I have failed. This struggle with sin will no doubt continue but God's love for us remains steadfast and His grace unending.
Back in the Fall, the Toronto Mass Choir visited our church. Just prior to the evening closing the choir director shared a short song with us that she had composed. The lyrics are repetitive and simple, but profound, expressing the deepest longing of my heart. How I pray you too can sing them and mean them. (Although I could have chosen a shorter video version of this song, the ten-minute link below is not too long for a heart that is fully devoted. Your response to the length is very telling. A whole heart praises the Lord with every waking moment.)
"Let all that I am praise the Lord
Let all that I am praise His holy name
Let all that I am praise the Lord
I won't forget the good things He does for me
With my whole heart, with my whole heart
With my whole heart, I will praise Him."
"With My Whole Heart" - written by Karen Burke; Micah Music; copyright 2011
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