Why Do We Love God?

Why Do We Love God?

Ezra 7:27-28 Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem: 28And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellors, and before all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.

What a beautiful prayer of praise and thanksgiving to God. Ezra clearly expressed his belief in God’s sovereignty.

As Christians, loving God is a natural response for all the good things He does for us. Here is a list of some of the wonderful things He has done for us (it would be impossible to list all the blessings God has given us).

- We love Him because He first loved us:
Read 1 John 4:19

- He created us:
Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Romans 9:20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

Psalm 127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

- He has saved us from God’s wrath:
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

- He indwells us with His Holy Spirit:
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

- He sanctifies us:
Ephesians 1:13-14 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Romans 8:15-16 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

- He blesses us (provides, prepares and protects us):
Ezra 7:27-28 (see above)

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

- He preserves us:
Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

- And He will Glorify us:
Romans 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

God is so good. Unfortunately, non-believers have the unnatural response of rejecting God and His goodness.

Of course it is easy for us to love and appreciate God when He is pouring out blessings on us. But what about when life seems hard: why do you love God when you are suffering?

Love Him for who He is!

- The one true God:
John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

- The Sovereign Lord of the universe:
Psalm 103:19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

- Our Savior
Isaiah 49:26 And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.

Titus 1:4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

- Our Friend
John 15:14-15 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

- His attributes – Merciful, Gracious, patient…
Read Exodus 34:6

Joel 2:13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

God is Holy, Righteous, Just, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, unchanging, etc. We can’t make a list of all the attributes of God, His ways are unsearchable.

Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

Remember to always love God for who He is and what He does.

And finally, how should our love for God manifest itself in our lives?

- Do what He says:
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

- Do what He has called/gifted you to do:
1 Peter 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Prayer
Dear Father in heaven, may Your Holy Spirit always lead me to remember who You are and all You have done for me. I pray that my love for You will grow stronger with each moment, each prayer, each time I read Your word or go to church. I praise You for Your sovereignty and Your immeasurable love. May Your love show through me. In Christ’s name I pray. Amen.