All Our Heart
What if your loved one gave you half a valentine today, or maybe half a box of candy? What if he or she said, “I love you half of the time, but the other half, not so much.”
It would sting wouldn’t it?
In the same way, God doesn’t desire half-hearted love from us. He longs for us to love him with all are hearts and to be totally devoted to him.
When we give him half a valentine, I’m sure it stings.
King David was called a man after God’s own heart. So after combing through the Psalms, we can figure out why.
David loved God with his whole heart. Every day, David presented God with a beautiful, complete, valentine through his adoration and total reliance on him.
David thanked God with all his heart. (Psalm 9:1)
When troubled, David poured all of his heart out to God. (Psalm 62:8)
David praised God with all his heart. (Psalm 86:12)
David sought God with all his heart. (Psalm 119:10)
David kept God’s laws with all his heart. (Psalm 119:10)
David called out to God with all his heart. (Psalm 110:145)
While we know David was a fallen creature, just like us, he never offered a half-cup of love where God was concerned.
And on this special day where we declare our love to the special ones in our lives, God does not want to be forgotten, and asks, “How much do you love me?”
“Do you love me with all your heart, soul, and mind?”
God never gives us half a valentine. He painted the landscape with bouquets of flowers for us to enjoy. Psalm 36:5 says his love for us “reaches to the heavens.” He loves us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3), and he sent his son to die for us, the ultimate act of love.
God’s valentine to us is larger than we can wrap our arms around, and it’s in front of us every day if we choose to see it.
Today, when you are writing out your Valentine cards, will you remember the Lord, your God? Tell him how much you love him, and ask him to show you how you can love him with all your heart. That’s what he desires. That’s what he gives us.
Happy Valentine’s Day. (LBW)