DAILY DEVOTIONAL, May 28, 2021

Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name (Psalm 103:1).

This verse presents a challenge to us when we worship God. When we worship God, we are to do so with all that is within us. God is God, and we are not God. God is worthy of our highest praise. Often when I attempt to worship God, I feel the need to repent! I am so easily distracted. My mind so quickly drifts to other matters. I have even been known to fall asleep during a worship service!

God is worthy of our full attention when we gather to worship. He is holy. His name is holy. He is our Creator and our Redeemer. I wonder how often I give it my all when I worship Him? Do I put my all into singing His praises? During the prayers, does God have my undivided attention? During the sermon, is my mind open to receive His Word eagerly? During the Lord’s Supper, is my heart rejoicing as I remember that I am forgiven once again?

The text from Psalm 103 presents us with the ideal. That is what we strive for when we worship God. I doubt that we ever live up to the words “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.” We reach for the ideal and then graciously accept God’s pardon because we have not reached the ideal. That is why in our church we observe the Lord’s Supper every Sunday. Not only have we failed to live a perfect life in the previous week, but even our worship also falls short of the divine standard. One thing that should be present in our hearts when we worship is thanksgiving. God accepts our inadequate worship because of what Jesus has done for us. Thankfully His love and the sacrifice of His Son make it possible for us to draw near to Him despite our many imperfections.

Gracious Father, I do thank You for Your grace. You are worthy of my best – – – my full attention – – – but I know I fall short. Because of Jesus and what He has done for me, I can draw near to You with confidence, not because I am flawless, but because He is flawless. Glory and honor and praise be unto Him, Amen.