I’ll Be There

devotion - I’ll Be There

Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God. 1 Chronicles 22:19

The elderly couple sat in the restaurant laughing and smiling throughout their conversation. I (Teresa) marveled at how much they were enjoying each other’s company. They seemed to know one another’s thoughts, but each conveyed careful interest in what the other had to say. I could see that their routines were familiar, their preferences understood. As they ate their meal, I could see the mutual fondness and genuine care.

To me, devotion means emotional investment and interest in your spouse—over a period of time. It is a sign of maturity in the relationship, and it goes much deeper than mere actions. Devotion is a matter of the heart. You can’t just act devoted; the hardships of life will crush that out of you.

I’ve asked God to make devotion a part of my character. He’s answered my prayer by showing me how devoted He is to me. I didn’t expect it to work this way, but as I have sought the Lord and made the effort to get to know Him, He’s overwhelmed me with His love. It’s because of His faithfulness and dependability that I can give the same kind of devotion to David. It’s because of His unwavering acceptance and unconditional grace that I can devote myself to providing the same for my husband. Devotion is dependable, foundational, and of God.

Make a commitment today to love your spouse in accordance with the vows you made on your wedding day—when you committed to being together “for better or for worse, richer or poorer, forsaking all others, till death do you part.” Make a choice today to seek the Lord and bask in His devotion for you, then tell your spouse that he or she can count on you for a lifetime.

What words or actions could you use to demonstrate your devotion to God, then to your spouse?