Psalm 9:1 I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth all thy marvelous works.

God is all about wholeness. 

When Jesus walked on Earth, He made people whole.  Think about the woman with an issue of blood (Matthew 9:22) or the man with the withered hand (Matthew 12:13). In Mark 6:56 we read about the people seeking to touch Him as He traveled through the villages and cities, so that they could be made whole.  He was constantly making the broken whole again.

David used the phrase ‘whole heart’ nine times in the book of Psalms (KJV).  He talked about praising God with his whole heart (Psalm 9:11; 111:1; 138:1), seeking God with his whole heart (Psalm 119:2, 10), praying or intreating God with his whole heart (Psalm 119:58, 145), and obeying God with his whole heart (Psalm 119:69, 149).  David was not half-hearted in his devotion to God; he served with his whole heart.

The whole heart. Undivided loyalty. Undivided focus. This is quite a challenge in today’s disjointed world, but God continues to call us back to Himself – to wholeness.

David did not talk about wanting to praise God. Instead, he used the affirmative, “I will”. He made a choice to lay himself on the altar as an offering to God. There was no indecision, no waiting on the right time or place – just an act of the will to follow and praise the God of the universe, wholly.

When our hearts are broken, we may not feel like we have a whole heart to give. The good news is that He is the healer of broken hearts (Psalm 147:3). He is all about wholeness.

Today, we live in a world of fragmented multitasking. Too easily we can get caught up just giving God bits and pieces of our love, our time, and our hearts.

I want to praise Him and serve Him with my whole heart.

He gave His whole heart for me.

Psalm 119:10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

Photo – Colors, Beth Mims