Psalm 116:1 –  I love the Lord because…”

As I began reading, praying, and musing on the Word of God today, I heard a question in my spirit that made me shut down and think.  The question was, “Why Do You Love the LORD?” Think about that.

Psalm 116:1 – “I love the LORD because…”   Before reading the Psalmist’s reason, ask yourself, “Why Do I Love the LORD?”   Is it because of what He does?    Is it the blessings we receive?  Is it because of what He does or because He Is?  For me, it is Who He is?

The Psalmist said, “because He heard my plea for mercy, AND listened to me.”   Those are valid reasons, but are they the best reasons?   He is our provider, but the greatest provision was salvation and loving us.

The Psalmist asked in verse 12, “How can I repay the LORD for His acts of kindness to me?”   If that is an action based on gratitude, it is honorable.  If it is action, trying to reach a position of deserving God’s blessings, it is not.

He said, “I will celebrate my deliverance and call on the name of the LORD.”  (Verse 13).   “I will fulfill my vows to the LORD before all His people.” (Verse 14)  In verses 17-19, he listed three places where he will fulfill his vows to God.   

• Before the people (publicly).  
• In the Courts of God’s temple.  (Church). 
• In God’s presence.

If we truly love God, we will seek to do His will, proclaim His Name, extol His acts of blessing, and desire His presence.   We cannot earn His favor.  We do not earn salvation by works or deeds.  It is by grace through faith that we enter the kingdom.  However, our love for God should propel us to be doers, not just hearers.  Rewards come by works, Salvation by grace.

But the original question reveals the true condition of our hearts and can be seen in Satan’s challenge to God about Job.   Is it what God does for us that elicits our service?  Is it the answer to our prayers and giving us our desires?  Is He alone enough?  Is His love for us enough to draw our love?  If He never answered another prayer, would we love Him?

In Psalm 119:15, the Psalmist reveals a key to victory.  “I will meditate on Your precepts and focus on Your behavior.”   Think about that.  The dual focus is on what God says and who God is.   That’s how we become transformed, the Word and Person of God.  The cliché “WWJD?”   It is germane to consider what Jesus would do in any situation!   We learn His precepts and see the application in His behavior, enabling us to always live victoriously.

Why do we love the LORD?   The truly legitimate reason is Who He Is!  What He does is the outflow of who He is.   Who He is in us transforms us, and as He lives His life in us, He enables us to model our behavior after Him.   We love Him because He first loved us, because of who He is, because He is love, and His love gives us life.

I have inadequately addressed the question, but I hope the Holy Spirit will challenge you to consider it personally.  Why Do You Love the LORD?

May the Love of God flood your hearts today and every day.