Joyce Meyer Daily Devotionals May 18 2023.

SCRIPTURE: And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good? — Deuteronomy 10:12-13 (NIV)

Today’s scripture makes clear what God wanted from His people, the Israelites, after He delivered them from bondage in Egypt. When I think of loving God with all my heart and soul, the word passion comes to mind. We hear people say they are passionate about their jobs, passionate about their spouses, passionate about sports teams, passionate about hobbies, and passionate about various causes. Why would we not be passionate about God and the things that matter? He is far better than any job, spouse, sports team, hobby, or cause in the world.

God is looking for people who are passionate about Him and the things that matter to Him. He is looking for those who will pursue Him wholeheartedly and value Him above all else. He doesn’t want us to have a mediocre love for Him, but to love Him passionately.

The way we express our love for God is through obedience to His teachings (see John 14:15), so one way we demonstrate our passion for Him is by loving others as He commands us to do (see John 13:34–35). Another way we show our passion for Him is to help people in need (see 1 John 3:17–18).

I urge you not to allow yourself to be more passionate about anything in this world than you are about God. He is passionate about you.

Prayer of the Day: Father, stir in me a passion for You and for the things that matter to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.