With My Whole Heart

If you have ever loved someone, whether it be a friend, a parent, a child, or a spouse, perhaps you have said this: “I love you with my whole heart!”  These words indicate that we love with our whole being, with everything we have within us.  We use these words to let our loved one know that we will do anything, or almost anything, to show our love and bring joy to that person. 
 
However, this feeling can waver and fade over time.  It takes effort to keep love alive, fresh and real. Spending time with each other, keeping the lines of communication open, deferring to the other’s preferences, and quickly forgiving are ways to keep that love growing and healthy.
 
The writer of Psalm 119:145-152 says similar words when calling out to God for help.  He says, “With my whole heart, I cry out to you.” He is assuring God that with all that is within him, he loves and trusts God. The writer states this in several ways:

• He promises to obey (verse 145)
  
• He acknowledges the importance of communicating with God (verse 147 & 148)
• He declares God’s Word to be true (verse 141)
• He confesses that he has believed God for many years (verse 152)

 
We live in a time of uncertainty and confusion.  Is your relationship with God strong and growing so that you are able to live in victory over your difficult circumstances?  Are you able to say to God “with my whole heart” I promise to obey, I will spend time with You, I know Your words to be true? Do you trust God?  Perhaps, in the past, you were like the Israelites who continually turned their backs on God. But now, you are ready to change. Remember, Nehemiah wrote that God repeatedly forgave Israel.  Read Nehemiah’s words in chapter 9. Nehemiah 9:17 and 9:27-31.
 
God will quickly answer your prayer for forgiveness also. You may want to pray this prayer:
 
“Father, I know I have failed you in the past.  I believe Your Word.  I know it to be true.  I believe that Your Son, Jesus Christ, died to take the punishment for my sin, and I ask forgiveness today.  I believe Jesus is reigning with You in heaven today.  Thank You for Your patience and forgiveness.  Guide me from this day forward. I say with the Psalmist: “with my whole heart, I cry out to you.”  Thank you for hearing me.
 
 
 “May the peace of God, that surpasses all understanding, keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” 
Philippians 4: 7