All That Is Within Me
Gordon Crook, PastorGrace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Psalms 103:1
This is an interesting comment on worship. “All that is within me” implies more than just a superficial form of worship that is very prevalent today among God’s people. Is worship something we do on Sunday morning? Is it a response to someone leading the worship service? Is it just a superficial act of praise?
The psalmist seems to tell us about something deeper than that. It can be easy and convenient to just give an hour or two on Sunday morning or meet with friends to go to that Christian concert and call that worship. Those things can certainly be a part of our worship.
Assembling with God’s people is important and encouraged in His Word. “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” Psalms 122:1. However, worship should not stop at the exit of the building. It should be an integral part of our life.
Good deserves our all; “all that is within me.” We tend to be willing to give our “all” for ourselves or for something we really enjoy. Some people seem to be able to give all for their favorite sports team. No matter where they go, you know for sure who their favorite team is. Do people know wherever you go who your Lord is?
“Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.” Psalms 111:1
“I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.” Psalms 138:1
“I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.” Psalms 9:1
“I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.” Psalms 18:3
Our God is worthy to receive our praise. He is worthy of all of our praise. No one and no thing is ever worthy of our praise like He is. Not just some words or some singing, but true worship. Our whole heart. Everything within us. Every action of our life. Every attitude of our heart. “I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.” Psalms 86:12
True worship comes from deep within us and is drawn out by a true understanding of who God is. It is not reserved for only when He does something for us. When we begin to have a true revelation of who God is, we will be unable to do anything other than worship Him. God is always calling us to know Him better and have a very personal and close relationship with Him. You cannot truly know God in this way and not be compelled to worship Him with all your being.
That “all that is within you” means that every aspect of your life becomes part of that worship. The way you speak, the way you treat others, the way you deal with business, every aspect. “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalms 19:14. “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” Luke 6:31.
Worship in this life is just the beginning. When we get on the other side, our worship will only increase as we will know even more. I feel strongly that “knowing as we are known” will draw from us an even greater worship. This is what we find in Revelation. “The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, . . .” Revelation 4:10.
Our worship of our amazing Lord will continue throughout eternity. Let’s get started now.
