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Whole Hearted Praise


I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. (Psalm 9:1-2)

            Have you ever watched someone whose heart wasn't in  what they're doing? Social niceties require applause, so they clap their hands, one clap, two claps, three claps, that's it. There's no spark in the eyes, no tear on the cheek, just performance of a duty. Then, watch a parent at a kindergarten play. Photos are taken of every twitch in addition to the video recorder, The child gets through his lines and the parent just can't wait to jump up and applaud (though social niceties require restraint.) Afterward, the parent gets on Facebook and crows to one and all about what a great actor the child is going to be, how intelligent, how composed - it's the scene out of The Music Man in which the kids who can't play one right note believe themselves to be accomplished musicians, and the people of the town agree.  There applause goes on and on, there are shouts of "Encore! Encore!" and "Bravo" or even "Bravisimo!" 
        Yes, that's an exaggeration, but it makes the point. The first is functionally praising. The second is praising with his whole heart and an extroverted personality. An introverted person would not be quite as demonstrative, but in a somewhat quieter, more individual manner express the same depth of appreciation. 
           We also know people who praise the Lord, but check their horoscopes, or praise Him but reject what is written in Scripture in favor of what is written in "science." They are divided in heart. Like Israel, they proclaim that the Lord, He is God, but they worshipped two golden calves. 
           I want to learn to praise God more, and to do so with my whole heart (remembering that the heart is not one's feelings, but one's will.)

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