Be Thou Exalted
The sermon emphasizes the importance of exalting God above all else in our lives, and making Him the priority in our thoughts, words, and actions.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the necessity of exalting God above all aspects of life, including possessions, friendships, comforts, and reputation. He expresses a deep commitment to glorifying God, even at the cost of personal loss or obscurity. Tozer's prayer reflects a desire for God to take His rightful place in his life, urging believers to prioritize their relationship with God above all earthly concerns. He concludes with a call for humility, desiring to decrease so that God may increase in his life. This heartfelt plea for divine exaltation serves as a reminder of the importance of placing God at the center of our existence.
Text
The Lord lives! Blessed by my Rock! Let God be exalted, the Rock of my salvation! --2 Samuel 22:47
O God, be Thou exalted over my possessions. Nothing of earth's treasures shall seem dear unto me if only Thou art glorified in my life. Be Thou exalted over my friendships. I am determined that Thou shalt be above all, though I must stand deserted and alone in the midst of the earth. Be Thou exalted above my comforts. Though it mean the loss of bodily comforts and the carrying of heavy crosses, I shall keep my vow made this day before Thee. Be Thou exalted over my reputation. Make me ambitious to please Thee even if as a result I must sink into obscurity and my name be forgotten as a dream. Rise, O Lord, into Thy proper place of honor, above my ambitions, above my likes and dislikes, above my family, my health and even my life itself. Let me decrease that Thou mayest increase; let me sink that Thou mayest rise above. Ride forth upon me as Thou didst ride into Jerusalem mounted upon the humble little beast, a colt, the foal of an ass, and let me hear the children cry to Thee, "Hosanna in the highest." The Pursuit of God, 101-102.
"In my increasing knowledge of You, Lord, and as I spend more time in solitude and silence before You, this prayer becomes so logical. Be Thou exalted in my life. Amen."
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Exalting God
- Exalting God over possessions
- Exalting God over friendships
- Exalting God above comforts
Key Quotes
“Let me decrease that Thou mayest increase; let me sink that Thou mayest rise above.” — A.W. Tozer
“Ride forth upon me as Thou didst ride into Jerusalem mounted upon the humble little beast, a colt, the foal of an ass, and let me hear the children cry to Thee, 'Hosanna in the highest.'” — A.W. Tozer
“In my increasing knowledge of You, Lord, and as I spend more time in solitude and silence before You, this prayer becomes so logical. Be Thou exalted in my life. Amen.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We must prioritize God in our lives by setting aside time for solitude and silence with Him.
- We must make God the focus of our daily thoughts and actions, and seek to please Him in all we do.
- We must be willing to decrease so that God may increase in our lives, and allow Him to rise above our own ambitions and desires.