Offer up Wholehearted Praise

“Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:” Psalm 103:1-2 NKJV

After logging onto the wear blue: run to remember site to register for their virtual Memorial Day event, I received an email that read: We are honored to invite you to remember and honor a fallen service member this Memorial Day. As you run, walk, or remember, say their name aloud. Share their stories. Keep their memory alive through your purposeful steps.We encourage you to take time to learn about your Hero Match. And just as I was encouraged to do before embarking on the run Monday, I took the time to learn more about my “Hero Match.” His name was SSG Kevin M. Witte and he was killed in action on October 20, 2006 in Operation Iraqi Freedom at the age of 27. Kevin was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. For his outstanding service and bravery, Witte was awarded many medals including a Purple Heart. 

And, you know, while Memorial Day is a time we set aside each year to remember and honor our fallen service members, as believers we are to set aside time each and every day to remember all the ways God is good and worthy of our praise, honor, and worship. This command or call to “bless the Lord” with all that we have (with all our soul and entire being) was so important that it was repeated three times in Psalm 103. You see, as David understood, it’s not enough to merely go through the motions of worship — but because of the many ‘benefits’ we receive when we choose to follow God, we should bless the Lord with ALL that is within us. That means halfhearted worship is no worship at all. We must give up everything within us to the act of honoring and praising God. 

So, make it a habit to “forget not all His benefits” my friend—by making it a habit to remember the many  benefits of God the psalmist listed… including the forgiveness of sins, healing, redemption, and being crowned with loving kindness and mercy among other things. This ‘habit’ will reap ‘benefits’ beyond what you can imagine. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us through the words of the psalmist that we owe you the praise of our complete soul. Knowing that You are blessed and honored when man and creation sing your praises, help us to worship You in a way that causes us to be delighted in You and You to be delighted in us. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!