The Most Important Thing
When Jesus was asked by the religious leaders what the most important command was, He quoted Deuteronomy 6:5. This verse contains one of the most important commands in all of Scripture.
The starting point for all of our lives is wrapped up in loving God. We were created to love God and have a relationship with Him. This relationship means that we were also made to be loved by God as well.
Amidst everything that you have to do in life, the most important thing is that you love God with everything that you are. If we become successful in life but do not love God, we’ve missed the most important thing.
God instructed the Israelites in Deuteronomy to constantly keep this command in their hearts and minds. They made physical reminders to help them remember to love God in everything they did. They taught this command to their children as the foundation of all other commands in Scripture.
Take some time to consider your life as well. Is loving God the primary motivation? Spend some time thinking about how good and merciful God has been in your life. Maybe create a physical reminder that you will see everyday to help focus your thoughts and heart on loving God.
Remember that God loves you more than you could ever imagine. The best motivation to love God is to constantly remember how much He loves us first.
Holy is His Name
Have you ever found yourself feeling uncertain in life, or weighed down by your circumstances? In times like these, it can feel almost impossible to praise the Lord for all He has done.
Life's trials can often cloud our vision, making it difficult to see past our present struggles. Mary's declaration in Luke isn't solely about her blessings; it's a testament to the unchanging character of God. Despite her uncertainties and forthcoming challenges, she found the strength to proclaim the greatness of God and the holiness of His name:
"For the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name."
Luke 1:49 NIV
Even when we don’t have all the answers, we can declare, "Holy is his name." Even when we’re faced with hardships threatening to steal our praise, we can declare, "Holy is his name." Even when the weight of fear presses down on us, we can declare, "Holy is his name."
Our declaration, like Mary's, is rooted in the belief that God’s faithfulness remains ...