As we mine for golden verses in this chapter of Deuteronomy, verse 5 is one worth hiding in the treasure chest of your heart to draw out often as heavenly currency in the transactions of zealous living. It reads, “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” There is a love that comes with reservation and conditions; and, there is love that comes unrestrained and absolute. Our love for God is to be a complete love to the exclusion of anything that would hinder the flow of our affection toward Him. So devoted is this love that it includes every aspect of who we are in body, mind, and soul. It is the giving over of ourselves to a God who gave us everything we have through the Best that He had. The Gospel of John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son…” If a gospel was written about our life, would it read, “For we so loved God, that we gave ourselves to His only begotten Son”? We must ask ourselves if we love God enough to worship and adore Him. Better yet, do we love Him enough to obey Him? Like Abraham of old, if we love God enough, we will believe Him. If we believe God enough, we will obey Him. We cannot love God completely, unless we believe Him wholly, and we cannot believe Him wholly unless we love Him entirely. Love and belief are inseparable. They are mutually dependent upon our understanding of who God is and that He is. Such an understanding is made possible by the revelation of God’s Spirit as we humbly and earnestly approach meditation upon God’s Word. 

Challenge: Do you find God irresistible? Are you willing to abandon everything else, for the sake of your love and commitment to Christ? Perhaps you need to immerse yourself in the Word and get to know Him better; for, when you know Him as He is, you will love Him for who He is and for what He isn’t. He is everything good. “There is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts (bribes)” (2 Chr. 19:7). You can count on Him being faithful and just in all His ways. Will you endeavor to be the same in all of yours?

Prayer: Lord, help me to faithfully love and reverence Thee with a perfect heart (2 Chr. 19:9). Ignite my passion for holy obedience out of that loving reverence. Then fan the flames of my love and desire to serve Thee until I know only unreserved dedication. In Christ, I ask it. Amen.

God’s blessings on your day!  

Bluffton North Ministry Group