Mon., 6/2/14 Devotion (Deut. 6:5)

Today's encouragement comes from Deuteronomy 6:5, where we read these words:

"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength."

This (above) is one of the most important verses in all the Holy Book. In the final analysis, everything comes down to whether or not we love God--and that supremely, more than any other entity. From whence does love come? It comes from God Himself. When He grants a sinner the gift of saving faith, that soul, recognizing the immensity of what the Lord has done for it, now genuinely and deeply loves God.

This, then, is the key to all the churchman's obedience and happiness. Do we love God? If so, we are willing and pleased to serve Him (in any and all re-spects). We can endure hardships and trials, because we know we are for-given, and that the Almighty Himself loves us. Love is the most powerful force in the world.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Are you accused by Satan, the world, or your own conscience? Christ is called your Advocate." --William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]