ADORATION OF ADONAI

January 7, 2022

And you shall loveH157 the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Deuteronomy 6:5 (BSB)

This scripture gives insight into the depth of all-encompassing love we are to have for God. Every ounce of our being should love God, resulting in pouring all our energy into doing His will and fulfilling His purposes. The morning prayer of the Jews was comprised of these verses:

Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (BSB)

These foundational verses were placed in a box (mezuzah) to be attached to the doorframe and in leather boxes (Phylacteries) tied around the forehead and the hand. The box attached to the head symbolized immersing the thoughts of the wearer in God and His love. The one on the hand reminded the wearer that if he loved God, he would walk in obedience in his daily living, resulting in actively doing what God has commanded. Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments,” (John 14:15).

Are you abiding in God or are you hiding something from Him? Is there anything you are withholding from God? Is God your soft place to fall? Do you have total trust, reliance, dependence upon His strength and love? Are you reciprocating that love like a child loves a parent? Is Jesus your first love or has something else in your life filled that space reserved for God and God alone? Do you love God with everything you are, everything you have, and everything you do? This is impossible in human effort; but with God, allowing yourself to be a living sacrifice is possible (Romans 12:1). Jesus loved us enough to die for us. Therefore, we love Him enough to live for Him. We, too, need to be reminded to focus our minds on God and use our bodies in His service by memorizing scripture and meditating on it (thinking of how it applies in your life), praying scripture verses for yourself and those for whom you are interceding, and interacting with others as Scripture instructs.

Father, may we return Your all-encompassing love by loving, honoring, and glorifying You with all our heart, soul, and strength. May all the resources You have given us, be used to love others and return love to You, the Source of Love.