“Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ . . . .”1
Through his grace we are able to love, for he first loved us. God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.2 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.3 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.4 [God] saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus . . .5
Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.6 How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast in the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.7
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed in the image of his Son, in order that [Jesus] might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified and those whom he justified he also glorified.8
What is the image of his Son? He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.9
I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me. Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice, granting an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries.10 Glorious!
Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me . . .11 AMEN!
Notes:
1. Mark 12:28-31
2. Romans 5:8
3. Psalm 32:1-2
4. Psalm 103:11-12
5. 2 Timothy 1:9-10
6. Psalm 36:5
7. Psalm 36: 7-9
8. Romans 8:28-30
9. Colossians 1:15-20
10. Proverbs 8:17-21
11. Psalm 31:21
