S-cripture: So be very careful to love the LORD your God. (Joshua 23:11)
O-bservation: What struck me about this passage is the use of the word “careful.” Joshua is speaking to his people and reminds them in vs. 6-9 to be strong, and to be “careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses”, to remain separate from other nations not worshipping any other gods they might come across and reminding them that their military successes up to this point have been because of Him.
A-pplication: Today I feel challenged by Joshua to love God “carefully.” This means to love God in obedience to His Word. Reminds me of what Jesus said, (John 14:21) Whoever has My commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves Me. He who loves Me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show Myself to him.” Entering into my ‘day off’ the focus is often for me to think about what brings me pleasure and refreshment and not being ‘careful to love God.’ While there is nothing wrong with God given pleasure and refreshment I am reminded today again that I need to keep my focus on loving God as my highest priority.
P-rayer: Heavenly Father, forgive me for so many times that I am not careful to love You. Where I find myself not strong and I am captivated by other things to bring joy, peace, or security that only You really can bring. Thank you for the reminder today that You are the one that has protected and driven out my enemies. That You are the one who has rescued, saved, and blessed me. Lord help me today to walk in obedience to Your Word –being careful to love You. And please use my life today to show Your love to others.
How can you be ‘careful’ to love God today?
Posts
Psalm 44:26 Rise up and help us because of your unfailing love. In the early part of the psalm the people were recalling all God had done for them. In the middle, difficulties have come upon them and they are feeling rejected by Him. Then, they call for Him to help because of his unfailing love.
ReplyDeleteI never want to forget His unfailing love. I was able to share it with a person today who is working through the hard issues of life. They are all around us. Help me Lord to see them and share your love.
Anita
I had some similar thoughts this morning, but less on the self-judgment side and more on the realization side: when I spend time in God's word and seek Him early in the morning, whether I feel like it or not, my day is automatically a whole lot better! Sometimes I come to my day off on the weekend and it becomes a downer for whatever reason - I concluded this morning that it's because I'm not spending time in the word and seeking Him!
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