Love Directed Toward God

Day 1 of 28 – A Heart Created to Love

Scripture:  “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” — Deuteronomy 6:5

God created the human heart with a singular, defining purpose: to love Him. When Jesus declared that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind, He was not merely delivering a new edict—He was restoring the original design intended for humanity. From the moment of creation in Eden, humanity has been wired for deep devotion and connection with God. The introduction of sin did not erase our capacity to love; instead, it redirected that love toward lesser things. Consequently, many hearts find themselves chasing after lesser loves that ultimately fail to provide lasting satisfaction and fulfillment.

Loving God is not solely about emotional experiences or fleeting feelings. Biblical love encompasses affection, allegiance, and action—it is a commitment that goes beyond mere sentiment. To love God with all our heart means that He becomes our ruling affection, our central loyalty, and our deepest desire. Many believers encounter struggles not because they lack love for God, but because their love is divided or incomplete. Competing affections can quietly take root in our lives—things like careers, comforts, social approval, and daily routines—until we find that God is loved sincerely but not supremely.

God never commands what He does not empower us to fulfill. When He calls us to love Him fully, He graciously provides His Spirit to help realign our hearts towards Him. This love for God grows through intentional devotion, which includes spending time in His Word, prayerful dependence on Him, obedience even when it requires sacrifice, and expressing gratitude for the grace we have already received. Love deepens in the places where our attention lingers and our hearts are consistently focused.

Today is not intended to invoke guilt over misplaced affections; rather, it is a gentle invitation from God. He is calling your heart back to its rightful center, encouraging you to re-evaluate what truly occupies the throne of your heart. When love is rightly ordered, life itself becomes oriented towards peace, purpose, and fulfillment.

Reflection Questions
  1.  What currently holds the strongest affection in my heart?
  2.  Are there good things that may be competing with my love for God?
  3.  What practical step can I take today to express love toward God?

Prayer
Lord, You created my heart to love You above all else. Forgive me for the times my affection has drifted toward lesser things. Draw my heart back to You. Teach me to love You not just with words, but with devotion, obedience, and trust. Amen.