TO LOVE THE LORD WHOLEHEARTEDLY
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.” Deuteronomy 6:5-6 NKJV
The command to love the Lord is neither casual nor partial. God calls for a love that reaches the deepest places of who we are, our heart, our soul, and our strength. This is not an emotional affection or a religious duty; but a wholehearted devotion that flows from a redeemed life.
To love God with all our heart means He holds first place in our desires and affections. Our loyalty is no longer divided. To love Him with all our soul speaks to our inner life, our will, our identity, and our hope being anchored in Him. To love Him with all our strength calls us to live out that love in obedience, endurance, and daily faithfulness, even when it costs us something.
Notice that Moses ties love for God directly to His Word: “These words… shall be in your heart.” Our love for God is sustained and shaped by His truth. We cannot love Him deeply while neglecting His Word. Scripture trains our hearts to recognize His goodness, corrects our wandering affections, and reminds us of His faithfulness.
Yet we must remember that this command does not stand alone. We love because He first loved us. Our wholehearted love is not something we manufacture through effort alone; it is the response of a heart transformed by grace. When we fail, and we often do— we return again to the God who restores our love by reminding us of His steadfast love toward us.
Chile of God, wholehearted love is not perfection, but direction. It is a daily turning of the heart toward God, choosing Him again and again as our greatest treasure. Hallelujah!
Prayer: My Father, I thank you for this wisdom. Your Word is deeply written in my heart, as my affections are shaped by your truth. Where my love is divided, draw me back. Where my strength is weak, sustain me by your grace. May our lives reflect a wholehearted devotion to you, flowing from the love you have so freely given us. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
CI.
RELATED RESOURCES
• Psalm 119:80
• Psalm 37:4
• Matthew 6:33
