Psalm 119:9-16: With All Our Heart
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
Imagine the love we will spawn when each of us is able to honestly say to God . . . I love you with all my heart . . .
Imagine the fortitude we will engender when each of us is able to truthfully say to God . . . I have sought you with all my heart . . .
Imagine the humility we will experience when each of us is able to openly say to God . . . let me not stray from your commands . . .
Imagine the trust we will feel when each of us is able to solemnly say to God . . . I treasure your promise in my heart . . .
Imagine the joy we will sense when each of us will enthusiastically say to God . . . I rejoiced to do your will . . .
Imagine the goodness we will produce when each of us is able to earnestly say to God . . . I will ponder all your precepts and consider your paths . . .
Imagine the patience we will personify when each of us is able to sincerely say to God . . . I take delight in your statutes . . .
Imagine the fidelity we will embody when each of us is able to fully say to God . . . I will not forget your word . . .
Jesus teaches with authority and the crowds are amazed at his wisdom. Matthew 7:28-29.
Jesus does not seek to control those who follow him. Indeed, he is moved with compassion for them. Mark 6:34.
Those who know Jesus do not stray far from him. Crowds of people come to him, and as is his custom, he teaches them. Mark 10:1
He teaches in their synagogues and everyone praises him. Luke 4:15
He enters Nazareth where he is well-known yet the people are furious. They drive him out of their town. Luke 4:29
Jesus tells us that he does nothing on his own but does all through the Father who has sent him; he teaches what the Father has taught him. John 8:28
Jesus heals many; he transforms the harsh circumstances of life. Those who wish Jesus gone plot against him. Matthew 12:14
When Jesus stands before the High Priest on the night he is accused he reminds all of us that he does nothing in secret but comes to us openly. John 18:20
We are never given the guarantee that life will be without suffering. We are never told that each day will end in happiness. We are never fed with lies or pampered with pretense.
We are always protected by God who turns all harm directed against us into good. We are always lead by Jesus who brings the love of the Father into flesh. We are always accompanied by the Spirit who celebrates our very existence.
God surrounds us continually and constantly with heart images to remind us of how much he loves us. Once we rely on God alone for our internal peace and the will to do as he asks, we will experience true security, honesty and openness not only with God but with all those with whom we interact. God shows us his kingdom each day, yet we are so occupied saving ourselves that we do not see. God sends us his love each day, yet we are so overwhelmed with the minutiae of the life we have created for ourselves that we do not hear. God’s love is planted in us each day, yet our worry and anxiety is so intense that we do not feel. Imagine if we could put the world aside for a time each day . . . to say the simple words to God that we often say to others . . .
Imagine the kingdom we will build with God when each of us is able to boldly say to our creator . . . I love you with all my heart . . .
To read more about the human heart and hearts we find in nature, click on the images and follow the links.
Images from: http://muslima61.hubpages.com/hub/The-Beautiful-Heart-Appearances-Can-Be-Deceiving
A re-post from February 5, 2012.
The Noontimes 