Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. 2 Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. 3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. 4 For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. 5 The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.

This past week I observed a young couple who seemed to be (to use a Southern expression) “eat up” with each other. They are adults but acted like children. They giggled and grinned the entire time they were together. Can you imagine that anyone has to tell them to spend time together? Do they need anyone to tell them they need to show their feelings more? It was obvious that the goal of both was to please the other one and to bask in the sunshine exuded from being together.

This is exactly the kind of feelings expressed by the Psalmist in his relationship with the Lord. He was thrilled when he had an opportunity to worship his God. He could not wait to be with others who felt the same as he felt about his God. No one had to tell him that he had to do these things. He was so filled with a love for the Lord that he considered it a privilege to be able to spend time studying his word or pondering his greatness or basking in the sunshine of his goodness.

The Old Testament prophets warned God’s people that going thru the motions of religion was not the same as true worship. On one occasion the prophet said that God would rather they just close the doors of the temple than to offer the half hearted and ritualistic feign worship being given. Jesus warned the religious leaders of his day that true worship must be from the heart and not just meaningless rituals that are practiced – even those given with regularity.

How do we fit into all this? If our hearts are right and we are really “eat up” with our devotion to God, there won’t be any discussions about if we “have to” go to church or study our Bibles or spend time in prayer. No one will need to tell us how important Sunday school is or how much good we can get from a song and praise service. We will be asking why we don’t spend more time together as God’s people. We will actually put him ahead of our personal needs and feelings. “It is fitting for the upright to praise him.”

O God, help me to be really committed to serving you. Fill my heart with your love and help me to love you more than anything or anyone else. Show me how to really put your righteousness first in my life. As I come to know your love, help me to share it with others. I pray in Jesus name.

May God bless each of us as we recommit ourselves to him.