I will praise Thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify Thy name for evermore. Ps 86:12

There are times in sports when players are called to be “all in.” Hold nothing back. Give their all. Commit with all their heart, with all their might, and every waking moment for one single purpose. Many players play the game, while few players live for the game. These players are “all in” and everything they do is for the game. In our scripture passage the psalmist declares to us that he is “all in.” He gave his all to praise and glorify the Lord. He learned to forsake the things and ways of the world, and “trust in the Lord” (Ps 31:6).  He gave his whole heart to God. He allowed nothing to divide or distract his affections. He withheld nothing from the God he loved and served. Hear the psalmist say, “I will praise Thee…with all my heart.” His heart was true and sincere (Jas 4:8), and his eyes were open to see the one true God, “O Lord my God.” He found God to be faithful on every occasion throughout his life, whether crisis, threat, or danger. Now and for eternity he would “glorify Thy name for evermore.” The Apostle Paul is another example. He declared to the early church and to us the “all in” life as “to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Php 1:21). Though his life was but a vapor, which is here today and gone tomorrow, he expended himself in every moment and every occasion to glorify his Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He lived unashamedly for the gospel (Rom 1:16) and served Christ with all his life. My friend, there are so many examples in the Bible of those who chose the “all in” life. The Bible declares that “we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses” (Heb 12:1). Let us join them to be “all in” and “run with endurance…looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith” (Heb 12:2). Father, thank You for Your love, Your mercy to forgive and cleanse all unrighteousness, Your grace that is sufficient, and Your faithfulness that endures forever. I join the heavenly host to “praise Thee…and glorify Thy name for evermore.” In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.