Psalm 78:36-37 – “But they flattered him with their mouths;  they lied to him with their tongues.  ³⁷ Their heart was not steadfast toward him; they were not faithful to his covenant.”

As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, the requirement of surrender and commitment filled my thoughts.  As I pondered those thoughts, I heard in my heart, “Do I have your whole heart and complete loyalty?”   I was taken aback by that thought, and as my pattern is, I didn’t answer; I waited.

Evil is prevalent in today’s world.   Many believers are under siege and struggling to keep their heads above the waters of life.  The church often seems powerless and appears more like a business than an army.   Where is the power?   Where are the all-night intercessory prayer meetings?   Where is the power of the early church?  It was a church where the deacons preached and worked miracles.   The LORD confirmed His Word with signs and wonders.    Where is that today?

As I mused on those thoughts, I found myself reading Psalm 77.   In his distress, the Psalmist prayed through the night, overwhelmed.   In verse 6, “I meditated far into the night; I communed with my own heart; I have examined my soul…”

In Psalm 78, he revealed the condition of the people and why the power was missing.  In verses 36-37, “Nevertheless, they loved Him with their mouths and lied to Him with their tongues.  37 For their hearts were not right with Him, neither were they steadfast in His Covenant.”

Does God have our whole heart?  What do we do in times of stress, distress, or ease?   Do we pray or complain, or pray and complain at the same time?   Do we beg for help?   Rather than looking inward, we strategize as to how to alleviate the problem.

If God has the whole heart, the heart knows that He is the source and presses into God’s provision.  If God has our whole heart and commitment, expectation is present, even at the forefront.  If God has the whole heart, He is first in everything.

In a church where God is LORD, “expectation” thrives!   In the early church and in the life of Jesus, they frequently spent the night interceding.  A prime example was Jesus’ explanation of why the disciples could not set the lad free from demonic activity.  He said, “This kind only goes out by fasting and prayer.”   Additionally, when Peter was awaiting execution, the church prayed fervently throughout the night.  The pattern was they prayed UNTIL.

If God has the whole heart, the flesh is rendered powerless and takes a back seat.

What will bring the harvest, revival, restoration, and renewal is Wholehearted Commitment!    It is Total Surrender.   It is dying to self (all of self).   When the world sees the church (leadership and members) living in expectation and enforcing the victory of Calvary, they will seek out the Church and, thereby, the LORD.

What is our reaction when we are confronted with situations that require the supernatural?  Do we expect God to use us, “These signs shall follow them that believe…” Or do we hand it over to the professionals (ministers)?  We are a kingdom of priests.  We are more than conquerors.  Nothing is impossible to the one who believes.

Does God have our whole heart?   The answer is revealed in our response.  I desire to be an example of a life wholly submitted and committed to God.

May the LORD help us to surrender our whole hearts to Him and manifest Him in this present world!