At church, we sometimes sing “Gratitude” by Brandon Lake. It is a beautiful song that reminds us that we should worship God with a heart of thankfulness and gratitude.
But every time I sing or even hear the words of Lake’s song, there is one particular part that hits me so hard:
So I throw up my hands
And praise You again and again
'Cause all that I have is a hallelujah
Hallelujah
And I know it's not much
But I've nothing else fit for a King
Except for a heart singing hallelujah
Hallelujah.
It’s the line that says, “I’ve nothing else fit for a king,” that really gets me. Because the truth is, I think we sometimes forget and take for granted that we really do worship and serve the King of kings and Lord of lords. There is no one higher than God.
Maybe we forget so easily because Jesus literally provided a way for us to come boldly and directly to Him. It made it so easy. Through His shed blood, we not only were offered salvation and redemption from our sins but we were also provided direct access to the most high God.
Think about that in mortal terms for a moment.
We cannot even get in to see our mayor without an appointment. We sure cannot waltz directly into the governor’s office without prior clearance. It might take months to get an appointment there or to visit with any of our state leaders. And forget about seeing the president; a direct audience with our national leader will never happen for 99.9% of Americans.
Yet, we have immediate, direct, and continual access to the Alpha and Omega. Amazingly, God is an ever-present help in our times of need. He never puts us off or shuts the door. He is always one breath, one prayer, one word away.
And on top of that, God makes His home within us. In us! How unbelievable is that?
So, when I sing this song and repeat this line, I cannot help but weep. Because it is so true; I have nothing worthy or fit to offer the King of kings. Why in the world did He love me so much that He sent His only begotten Son to save me from myself? How can I possibly thank Him? What can I offer Him in gratitude for His love?
Nothing that I have is possibly worthy! So, what in the world does the most holy entity in existence desire from me?
Me, that’s what He wants.
In Romans 12:1, we read, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
But why? Yes, worshipping God with our hearts, souls, minds, and bodies is more than reasonable, considering all that God in His infinite holiness has done for us. But why does He want our worship? He has no need for it; He is complete.
Well, way back in the Old Testament in Jeremiah 32:39-40, we also read,
And I will give them one heart and one purpose: to worship me forever, for their own good and for the good of all their descendants. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good for them. I will put a desire in their hearts to worship me, and they will never leave me.
Wow! He does not need our worship, but God wants it for our own sake. He loves us so much that He knows our worship will profit us and our descendants. It will forever keep us in contact, in relationship, dare I say, even communion with Him.
Ultimately, our worship of God is for our own good.
For just as Lake’s song declares, it all comes down to a heart of gratitude. Because when we come into His presence, we cannot help but realize just how holy He is and how unholy we are. As we worship Him in the beauty of that unmatchable holiness, then we are instantly aware of how unworthy we are and how worthy He is.
And the moment we stop worshiping, we quickly forget just how many reasons we have to worship. But when we keep coming to Him with a heart of worship, we are forever reminded of our unending need for his unending love.
As God told Jeremiah long, long ago, God Himself gives us the desire to worship Him, so that we will never leave Him. For only in His presence will we find fullness of joy.
Which brings me back to my original, Brandon Lake-inspired thought, “I've nothing else fit for a King,” nothing else but my worship. The very worship that He put in my heart in the first place.
What a mighty God we serve. Even our worship to Him comes from Him!
“Gratitude” by Brandon Lake
All my words fall short
I got nothing new
How could I express
All my gratitude?
I could sing these songs
As I often do
But every song must end
And You never do
So I throw up my hands
And praise You again and again
'Cause all that I have is a hallelujah
Hallelujah
And I know it's not much
But I've nothing else fit for a King
Except for a heart singing hallelujah
Hallelujah
I've got one response
I've got just one move
With my arm stretched wide
I will worship You
So I throw up my hands
And praise You again and again
'Cause all that I have is a hallelujah
Hallelujah
And I know it's not much
But I've nothing else fit for a King
Except for a heart singing hallelujah
Hallelujah
So come on, my soul
Oh, don't you get shy on me
Lift up your song
'Cause you've got a lion inside of those lungs
Get up and praise the Lord
Oh come on, my soul
Oh, don't you get shy on me
Lift up your song
'Cause you've got a lion inside of those lungs
Get up and praise the Lord
Come on, my soul
Oh, don't you get shy on me
Lift up your song
'Cause you've got a lion inside of those lungs
Get up and praise the Lord, hey
Praise the Lord
Praise the Lord
Praise the Lord
So I throw up my hands
Praise You again and again
'Cause all that I have is a hallelujah
Hallelujah
And I know it's not much
But I've nothing else fit for a King
Except for a heart singing hallelujah
Hallelujah.
