Experiencing God's Presence #245

Experiencing God's Presence #245

Love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.

Deuteronomy 6:5

These are words from the mouth of Moses, but they come straight from the heart of God. It’s repeated several times in Deuteronomy, again in Joshua and the Psalms, and then deemed the most important commandment by numerous rabbis and by Jesus Himself. And this “commandment” is also a plea—not from a God desperate for love but from a God who created us for that purpose and wants it fulfilled. God wants an emotional closeness to and heartfelt commitment from those made in His image.

It’s easy to hear the divine heartbeat on this subject: “Why do you think I made you to be like Me? There’s no reason for your design other than relating to Me. Haven’t you noticed? I have pursued you for centuries. I’ve waited patiently and planned your restoration in detail. I haven’t called your straying ‘disobedience’ only, I’ve also called it ‘adultery.’ Why? Because it’s personal. Because I want your heart and you’ve given it to others. I can be hurt and grieved by your attitude toward Me. But I’ve continued to call you back to Me. I’ve made enormous sacrifices for you. I’ve placed My affection on you. I’ve made extravagant promises that include giving you an eternal inheritance and letting you rule the earth together with Me. And I’ve shown you love that’s higher and wider and deeper than a finite mind can comprehend. Don’t misread the cues. Don’t underestimate My commitment to you—or My desire for you. I want you for Myself.”

God, I want to love You with my whole heart. I know this is Your greatest desire for me, that it’s the reason I was made. But You know how weak my love can be, and how easily I’m distracted by lesser, more visible things. Please help my heart respond to You and love You with passion.