Loving God And Loving Others: The Basics Of Becoming ChristlikeSample

Day 3: Loving God With All of Your Soul

Growing up in church and as the daughter of missionaries, Susha thought she had a pretty good handle on what it meant to love God. Until the Lord allowed her to get cancer. But something happened to Susha in that season that she hadn’t expected: she learned to love God with all her soul.

She was forced to think about life, death, and eternity. As a mom of four, Susha was desperate to get well. Although Susha continued to pray for healing, she chose to trust God with the outcome. That trust created a love within her soul that she had never before experienced. She learned that loving God with all her soul put her life into perspective with eternity, fostered a gratefulness that helped her to stand strong in the tough moments (Hebrews 10:23) and endure with joy (Hebrews 12: 1-2).

Our soul is what integrates, connects, and binds the various parts of our wills, minds, and bodies together into a single life. It’s a life that’s completely, entirely, absolutely, and wholeheartedly designed to connect with God. Psalm 103:1 (NASB) says: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name!”

The God who forgives, heals, redeems, crowns, and satisfies is filled with tender compassion, mercy, and love toward those who fear Him. As David writes in Psalm 103:2 (NASB): “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.”

The word “bless” throughout Psalm 103 means “to kneel” and is the same Hebrew word used in Psalm 95:6: “O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker” (NLT).

Our souls are called to bow in submission to the Creator. May our lives—all that is within us—kneel in worship and praise as we seek to love and obey God with all our hearts and all our souls.

As we grow in our relationship with God, He creates hearts that long to obey Him. Our obedience is no longer something we “have to do,” but rather a reflection of what we want to do because of who we are—dearly loved children of God. Our souls become more and more at rest as we daily abide in Christ, remembering who we are in Him, and walking in obedience as we align every part of our lives with God.

Questions for Reflection:

• Does loving God with all your soul differ from loving Him with all your heart? If so, how?
• What areas of your life have you unknowingly compartmentalized in your relationship with God? What do you need to submit and yield to Him?
• What are some areas of disobedience you need to confess and repent of so your life can reflect love for God?