The greatest command of God is to love Him with ALL OF OUR HEART, with all of our soul, with all of our mind, and with all of our strength. This is repeated numerous times in the Old and New Testaments and Jesus said it is, indeed, the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:34-36). I have heard many people say they "love God with all their heart" and have even said it myself.
But do we? Do we actually love God with all of our Hearts?
In my devotion this morning (January 15, 2021) God showed me ways to open my heart so that I can begin to love Him with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.
This past year, I have been working on my capacity to love God because I know that is what He wants and what pleases Him. I do love God and I want to love him in greater measure. I believe that we all should want to increase our capacity to love God--it will also increase our capacity to love others as well.
As I do my devotion each day, I ask the Lord to speak to my heart. I want to hear God's voice because without hearing His voice I am lost like a sheep going its own way. A sheep on its own is not safe from the devouring lion.
My devotion this morning came from Psalm 9.
Psalm 9:1-2 “I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. 2 I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.”
As I read David's words, "I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart," I heard the Lord quietly speak. He said to me. "Loving me with your whole heart begins by thanking me with your whole heart."
I immediately understood. "Thankfulness" and "love" are in some way connected. I am not a psychologist nor a theologian, nor have I conducted a study to find the relationship between thankfulness and love, but I do know that those to whom we are most thankful, we also have the most love toward.
I began to meditate upon this new revelation. For me to love God in ever increasing measure until it consumes my whole heart, I will give thanks to God in ever increasing measure until thanks to God fills my whole heart. It seems easier to give thanks than to give love and pure thanks, when complete, becomes pure love.
My spirit was brought back to Psalm 9 once again. God was not through speaking. There are three more things that will help us to love God more--with our whole hearts. It begins with giving thanks to God with our whole hearts and then to...
Tell others of God's incredible deeds.
Be glad and rejoice in God.
Sing the praises of God's name--Jehovah.
I shy away from making any formulas when it comes to spiritual matters. God does not conform to our formulas, but He has shown me these four things to help me love him more as I strive toward loving God with all of my heart.
Be glad and rejoice in God...to love God more and more every day by showing God you are thankful with your whole heart. We have much to be thankful for--too many things to count. Even in the midst of trials that come our way, give thanks to God with all of your heart and tell others of the great things God has done for you. Show your thankfulness by being glad and rejoice in Him. In your private places and in your public places show God your praise.
As we do these things consistently, our hearts will begin to increase its capacity to love.