“I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.” (Psalm 18:1)
Can you echo this same commitment to love the Lord as the psalmist, knowing it comes from the depths of your soul? If so, your love for God will evidence itself in life – not perfectly, but consistently day in and day out, on every level.
The most primary test of our love for God is how much time we spend with him seeking to deepen that relationship. Growing a relationship with God occurs in much the same way as it does on a human level in that if you truly love someone, you want to be with them. You want to spend time getting to know them more. And one of the best examples of how this level of relationship plays out is that of Adam and Eve before the fall, daily walking and talking with God in the Garden.
Consider how often you acknowledge him… talk to him… praise and thank him throughout the day. Does your relationship with him transcend all human relationships? Does he occupy that preeminent place in your heart that belongs to him alone? We do well to remember that he will not settle for second place (Exod. 20:3, Luke 4:8) which is why a genuine love for God shows in a daily diligence to seek him and walk in his presence (Ps. 16:8).
Another of the evidences of whether or not we love God is the degree to which we serve and obey him, seeking his will above our own. He cannot be Lord, occupying the throne of our heart, without a distinctive behavioral evidence of who we love and serve showing up in our life. It will be clear to those who know us if we truly love God, for then his love and goodness will spill over to them as well (1 John 4:7-8, John 14:15).
Further evidence of our love for God is that he is our greatest joy (Ps. 63:3, 11). We delight in the warmth of his favor and presence. We love his people and his house (Ps. 26:8). We live with a spirit of thanksgiving for his daily mercy, free grace, and bountiful blessings (Isa. 63:7; Ps. 63:2-8, 107:22; Job 36:24). And we experience a deep grief when we sin and break that sweet fellowship with him.
And finally, if we suffer anything for his sake, our devotion to him enables us to endure that trial with joy and patience (1 Thess. 1:6, Acts 5:14). For in all our difficulties we can run to our Father, relying on him as our sole defense, rock, and refuge in times of trouble (Ps. 18:1-2).
Nicholas Byfield said of such a man, “he constantly desires to be like God in holiness, being careful to approve his affection to God by his obedience to his ten commandments, so as it is not grievous to him to receive directions, but serves God with all his heart, being fearful to displease God in anything (John 14:21; 1 John 5:3; Deut. 10:12 and 11:22), and is more affected with God’s approbation, then all the praise of men (Rom. 2:29).”[1]
Christ himself affirmed, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind…” (Luke 10:27). This is the first – and greatest – commandment.
Contemplations:
- Lord, help me to love you! Let my love for you grow out of the love, grace, and goodness you freely give to me. Help me do good before you heartily, and not out of obligation or for the praise of men. Help me to be so moved with the sense of your goodness to me that I am humbled when I have done my best, knowing that I cannot bring more glory to you than I have done (Deut. 30:20; Joshua 22:5; Matt. 4:19-20; Rom 6:17).
- Lord, help me prove my love for you by keeping your commandments, for I cannot strive to live holy before you without obeying your Word in all things. I desire to do your will regardless, even when it is against my profit, recognition, ease, or the approval of those around me, for I prefer your love and favor above all else, even life itself.
- Help me Lord to especially consider my ways while in the company of others, so that I may demonstrate a consistent devotion to you first, no matter what they may say or do.
- Help me, Lord Jesus, to consider the least commandment as well as the greatest, so that in all things I would love you thoroughly.
- I desire, Lord, in all things, to be guided by the warrant of the Word of God.
Further References for Psalm 18:1:
Psalm 18:32; 28:8; Jer. 16:19; Nahum 1:7.
[1] Nicholas Byfield, The Marrow of the Oracles of God, (London: John Legatt, 1630), 163.
