Exalt God Wholeheartedly
BRD REFLECTION 2025
2 Chronicles 25:1-26; 36:1-23 and Psalm 99:1-9 (NIV)
(Gordon Tan, Associate Lay Leader)
READ:
2 Chronicles 25:2 (Good News Translation)
2He did what was pleasing to the Lord, but did it reluctantly.
Psalm 99:5-9 (NIV)
5Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy.
6Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel was among those who called on his name; they called on the Lord and he answered them.
7He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud; they kept his statutes and the decrees he gave them.
8Lord our God, you answered them; you were to Israel a forgiving God, though you punished their misdeeds.
9Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the Lord our God is holy.
OBSERVE:
Amaziah became king at the age of twenty-five and was described in this way in 2 Chronicles 25:2 (GNT): “He did what was pleasing to the Lord, but did it reluctantly”. Most of the versions described his actions as “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not wholeheartedly”. I like the GNT because it speaks plainly to me about the state of Amaziah’s heart. I note that he was not wholehearted because his actions were done out of reluctance and half-hearted efforts.
As I went on to read Psalm 99, I observed that Moses, Aaron and Samuel “called on the Lord and He answered them”. God “answered them” and “spoke to them”. The Psalmist notes that God interacted with them because “they kept his statutes and the decrees he gave them”.
APPLY:
I learnt from reading these two passages that God examines our heart. Am I courageous and obedient enough to approach God? Do I believe that He is a forgiving God despite keeping strict discipline, punishing any wrongdoings? This tells me that I need to trust and be obedient to God wholeheartedly, not in half measures.
But how will I be able to obey God wholeheartedly ? I recall this verse in Proverbs 9:10 which may provide an answer, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
As I read the Psalms again, it seems to point to how I worship God. Do I worship God as the Psalmist did? “Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy.” Can I keep in mind to “Exalt the Lord our God”? And do I recognise that God is holy?
DO:
I want to exalt God in my daily worship of Him. I want to see God in each moment of my everyday life. I want to be grateful for all that I can be thankful to Him. I want to fear Him for all my actions. I want to always remember that He is a Holy God, and although He is forgiving, I cannot take His holiness for granted. And so I must obey Him wholeheartedly.
PRAY:
Dear loving and forgiving Father, I want to acknowledge that You are Holy. I want to exalt You in my life. I want to exalt You by learning to obey You in all that I do. I want to exalt You in how I think. I want to worship and exalt You with my whole heart. I want to obey You wholeheartedly. Thank You for sending Jesus to take away my sin. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
