I Love the Lord

I have enjoyed reading from the Psalms over the years for I find them to be rich in devotional thought. Take this one for example:

“I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live” (Psalm 116:1-2).

I like how this one begins. Notice the first 4 words “I love the Lord…” Then he tells why: “He heard my voice…my cry.” The psalmist is saying here: The Lord heard me, and then he helped me. He goes on to explain, in the next few verses, how He did so in specific ways. However, here in the opening he says essentially: Because of this, I cannot help but love him more. That is why he begins the psalm by declaring, “I love the Lord…”

I think that every believer should be able to offer such a declaration without hesitation! We can all share in this celebration! The reason for this is that the Lord has been good to us. Yes, he has! Not just in good times but even in hard times. This seems to be what the psalmist is alluding to in this heart-felt expression. You sense it here…Note the depth of the psalmist’s hurt when he opens by saying, “He heard my voice” (v.1). He does not even call it prayer; he just says voice (this Hebrew word speaks of groaning or moaning). Have you ever come before the Lord and moaned or groaned? Then you are not alone! He testifies, “He heard my cry” (v, 1b) which is a word for prayer and it is in the plural (cries). His prayers—cries to God were offered repeatedly. That reveals the depth of his hurt. The good news here: God did not hide from him but heard him and then helped him. That is why he cannot help but say, “I love the Lord!”

Do you have reasons to love the Lord? Then tell Him! If the Lord has been good to you, then it is time to give him praise! You can begin here: I love you Lord…

Devotedly yours,
Pastor Ron