What a motivational hymn of praise to the God we love!  The songwriter lists all the ways he loves God, all the ways God has provided with a promise to do what God tells him to be and do.  What would happen if this was our prayer of thanksgiving, praise with promises to God each morning?  What would God do in our lives if were fully committed to Him?  God looks over the earth His Word tells us, “God is always on the alert, constantly on the lookout for people who are totally committed to him. You were foolish to go for human help when you could have had God’s help. Now you’re in trouble—one round of war after another.” (2 Chronicles 16:9, The Message) 

What would happen if we were fully committed to God, seeking Him first each break of day, asking what HE wants and then doing it because we love Him back.  “We love God because He first loved us.”  (1 John 4:19)  Would it be possible with God and our commitment to Him to be a difference in our world?  Would wars cease?  Would His peace prevail?  Would differences dissolve?  Paul says that our faith, hope and love are keys to a committed life of love…God’s love.  He states that the most important is love. 

So, as an exercise of spiritual discipline, let us name all the reasons WE love God this morning.  The Psalmist provides examples with where to begin.  When we do this, our minds will change for the better, our behavior will reflect our faith and belief in God and His Love.  We’ll recognize God’s work of love in us and realize that because of realizing God’s love for us, we are loving others more passionately with less conditions.  We are beginning to love like He loves us.

I love God because…

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 116, The Message

^1-6 I love God because he listened to me,
    listened as I begged for mercy.
He listened so intently
    as I laid out my case before him.
Death stared me in the face,
    hell was hard on my heels.
Up against it, I didn’t know which way to turn;
    then I called out to God for help:
“Please, God!” I cried out.
    “Save my life!”
God is gracious—it is he who makes things right,
    our most compassionate God.
God takes the side of the helpless;
    when I was at the end of my rope, he saved me.

^7-8     I said to myself, “Relax and rest.
    God has showered you with blessings.
    Soul, you’ve been rescued from death;
    Eye, you’ve been rescued from tears;
    And you, Foot, were kept from stumbling.”

^9-11 I’m striding in the presence of God,
    alive in the land of the living!
I stayed faithful, though overwhelmed,
    and despite a ton of bad luck,
Despite giving up on the human race,
    saying, “They’re all liars and cheats.”

^12-19 What can I give back to God
    for the blessings he’s poured out on me?
I’ll lift high the cup of salvation—a toast to God!
    I’ll pray in the name of God;
I’ll complete what I promised God I’d do,
    and I’ll do it together with his people.
When they arrive at the gates of death,
    God welcomes those who love him.
Oh, God, here I am, your servant,
    your faithful servant: set me free for your service!
I’m ready to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice
    and pray in the name of God.
I’ll complete what I promised God I’d do,
    and I’ll do it in company with his people,
In the place of worship, in God’s house,
    in Jerusalem, God’s city.
Hallelujah!

TRUTH: “What can I give back to God for the blessings he’s poured out on me?”  I can love others like He loves me.

Proverb 3:3-4, The Message

WISDOM: “Don’t lose your grip on Love and Loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart.”

Abba Father,

Teach us to love like you love us.  Help us daily to realize the depth of your love and live gratefully expectant because your love never changes, never holds back and always without conditions. Knowing your love for us helps our love for others do deeper still.  Thank you for the assurance that we are, no matter what, loved.  You are Love.

In Jesus Name, Amen