Matthew 22:37-40 “’Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment, 39 and the second is like it: ’You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the prophets.”
Dear God,
How wonderful it is to be Your child, and to know that You love me, and every living thing that You ever created. I am glad Your laws are formed in love, and reflect Your character. Because You are God, and our Creator, You know that it is only when we love You with our whole heart, soul, every part of our (my) mind and being, that I can be true to You, otherwise sinful tendencies take over and draw me away from You, into my own desires and allegiances, which lead on to sinful rebellion. You have promised to be my wisdom, strength and power which I claim, for I am very well aware that even with the very best intentions; I cannot be true to You in my own strength.
It is through the love principle in action, that Jesus invites me to lay my (our) burdens upon Him.
With the words of Jesus in mind, I have a changed view of the commandments of God, than when I was a teenager, for now I know that they are formed and based on love, Matthew 23:38 “This is the first and great commandment” – to love God totally and with all of me. In His answer to the lawyer who had been sent to trap Him, Jesus continues to expand on the love principle. V39
“And the second is like it: You shall love Your neighbour as yourself.”
This is not my easy and natural way, please forgive me Lord, and again lead me and empower me, so I can be Your vessel of love and wisdom to others. I read that there is more, in Exodus 35, Moses had returned to the mountain, where You had shown him Your glory, by allowing him to see Your back from the cleft in which he was placed. Despite not seeing You face to face, the face of Moses shone with the reflection of Your glory, and he had to veil his face, because the people could not look upon him.
With the words God fresh in his ears, Moses reminds the people to observe Your rest, the day You set aside to honour the creation of the world and all in it. Then the people were asked by Moses to bring gifts for the building of the temple honouring You; which they gladly did.”
It is my intention to love and serve You on a continuing basis. I also aim to honour You in a place of worship as well as at home, and willingly bring offerings to assist in the costs and maintenance of the building.
Amen