Pull It Together
When Jesus was asked which commandment was the most important, He replied with no hesitation: “YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND” (Matthew 22:37 NASB).This first and greatest commandment was given to remind us that what we love, we worship. What we love, we serve.And, it is fascinating to notice the “all” of this command. There is no room for divided affections.The psalmist knew this and prayed for a united heart:
Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name. I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and will glorify Your name forever (Psalm 86:11-12).
He asked the Lord to teach him His ways. He wanted to understand the path the Lord had for him, but also the ways of God, i.e., how God operated. Such knowledge would help him love and follow.All His HeartThe psalmist wanted a united, singular affection to follow God. The heart is the seat of our affections. It’s the emotional source from which everything springs. He asked God to bring each part of his affections together so that he would be laser focused on the one true God.In seasons of revival, one of the most notable aspects is absolute and overwhelming fresh love for Jesus. Other affections are cast aside. Our heart is solely turned to Him. Our affection drives us to surrender and obedience and witness. The love of self dies, and fresh passion supersedes all else.All the TimeThe psalmist further asked God to help him glorify God’s name “forever.” No momentary affection would do. He wanted salvation from the on-again, off-again spiritual life. “All my heart, all the time” was his plea. And it should be ours.Gone is the Sunday worship “moment” that becomes on Monday a denial of Christ in a self-absorbed existence. Jesus is first and foremost. We have returned to our first love, and it consumes everything in its path.It would be wise to ask ourselves today,Do I love Jesus with “all” or “some” of my heart?What do I choose over Him?What do I love more than Him?Do I love Him all the time?