So be very careful to love the Lord your God.
Joshua 23:11 NIV
Joshua’s final message to Israel in Joshua 23:11 carries a powerful instruction. He urged them to ‘take careful heed to themselves, that they love the Lord their God.’ This timeless admonition reminds us to actively sustain our love for God. Several translations emphasise this personal responsibility. For instance, The Passion Translation advises us to ‘keep watch over your heart.’ This demonstrates that we cannot leave our love for God to chance.
Think about a marriage relationship. For a marriage to thrive, neither spouse can simply assume the love will endure. Instead, both partners must intentionally work to sustain that love. Indeed, they must deliberately invest time, effort, and care into their connection. Similarly, we must nurture our relationship with God. Our deep affection for Him requires consistent attention and effort. It is not something that happens by accident.
Meanwhile, neglecting our daily spiritual disciplines can diminish our fervent devotion. If we simply offer a quick prayer each morning and then forget about God the rest of the day, our love can fade. This lack of intentionality can cause the burning desire in our hearts to lessen. We might still believe in God; however, we lose that passionate connection. Moreover, this decline happens not because we cease to love God, but because we fail to guard our love actively. We neglect the places where our hearts connect with Him.
Cultivating a Sustained Love for God
So, how do we actively sustain our love for God? The answer involves consistent engagement in spiritual practices. We worship throughout our day, keeping our hearts attuned to Him. Remembering and meditating on Scripture also helps maintain this connection. Furthermore, praying without ceasing deepens our relationship with the Lord. Moreover, serving others and sharing Christ’s love witnesses God’s transforming power. More importantly, we must live out God’s instructions everyday. These intentional actions safeguard our love for God.
The importance of this ongoing effort is clear in Revelation chapter 2. Jesus spoke to the church in Ephesus, rebuking them for forgetting their ‘first love.’ Evidently, they had stopped upholding the practices that fostered their intimate relationship with God. They were no longer actively nurturing that deep affection. Therefore, we must ensure we never forsake our initial devotion. Every aspect of our lives should reflect and be guided by our profound love for God.
Living It Out
Let us commit to actively sustain our love for God each day. Engage in worship, prayer, Scripture, and service. Guard your heart with intentional practices, ensuring your devotion remains fervent and true. Choose to invest in your relationship with the Lord, letting His love guide all you do.