What Is There to Love About God?
Over several recent blogs, I have shared ideas about “Learning to Love” and “Learning How to Love God.” Those writings have focused on our relationship with God and our need to grow in our ability to give Him the respect and love He deserves. My two latest blogs were about how Jesus shows us how to love God through commitment, priority, availability, openness, and obedience.
While reflecting recently on what I’ve written about loving God I became aware of an important question I should raise with you before I move on to loving others as we love ourselves. That question is, “What is there to love about God?”
We are commanded to love God; that is the first of all the commandments. Are we to love God because he “commands” it? Do as I tell you because I am God? Is God trying to force us to “love” Him whether we want to or not?
Can you or I be forced to love anyone, including God? In my opinion, the Commandments that came to us from God through Moses are rules for those living in a faith relationship with God. These are directions, and guidelines intended to help us live respectfully to God and others. These are the standards God sets for us but He does not force them on us. He has given us free will to choose to love Him; true love cannot be demanded or forced.
When taken seriously, his rules for righteous living are beneficial to us. God will not override our will; he wants us to love Him freely. God wants us to love Him for who He is and what He has done for us. Loving God is the best thing we could ever do for ourselves!
So, back to the question, “What is there to love about God?” To try to answer this important question, I invite you to open your Bible and discover the answer from some of the great heroes of our faith. While there are various ways to learn about God, the biblical stories of these people are the best source for understanding His heart. His heart, that’s what we need to know to surrender our heart to him fully.
I’ve selected King David as the place to begin our investigation, The Bible tells us that David was “a man after God’s heart.” So, let’s start with David and how he answers the question, “What is there to love about God?”
David became the second king of Israel after God rejected Saul because of his disobedience and pride. 1 Samuel 16-17 tells us how Samuel passed over the physically impressive Eliab and the other six sons of Jesse and chose the shepherd lad tending his father’s sheep. In this process, Samuel gets an important reminder from the Lord, “ God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7.
One of the great gifts David has given us is his writings in the book of Psalms. You can learn much about his “heart” by reading his psalms. They have been a comfort to me in times of sorrow and trouble. They have encouraged me when life’s challenges seemed insurmountable. Although David made terrible mistakes and sinned against the Lord, he loved the Lord at the deepest level of his being.
We will be looking at several of David’s insights into the heart of God. He will convince us there is overwhelming evidence that we should give our hearts and love to God.
We often read scripture and ask, “What does this say about me?” I want you to change that mindset, that question to, “What does this tell me about God?” as we look at David’s Psalms. Without further comment or explanation from me, please read this selection with this question in mind, “What does this tell me about God?”
“ The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadows of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, thou hast anointed my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23 (NAS)
Think about David’s background as a shepherd. What is he saying about God’s care, protection, guidance, correction, restoration, abundant blessings, and eternal security ? Let that intersect with your life. Reflect on how the Lord has been your shepherd also
Open your heart to the Lord who loves you and give him the Love and praise he deserves.