Happy Birthday Jan!
Rabbi’s Reflections – Saturday, July 9, 2022
Shabbat Shalom,
Growing in Love for God 24
by David Harwood
When the Torah was given Moses lamented,
But to this day Adonai has not given you a heart to know, or eyes to see, or ear as to hear (Deuteronomy 29:4 TLV)
In contrast to this, we are living in a time when God is writing His Torah on our hearts. Those who have been born from above have received a new heart that has the capacity to receive God’s authoritative direction.
Then I will give them one heart. I will put a new Spirit within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, so that they may follow My laws, keep My ordinances and practice them. (Ezekiel 11:19–20a TLV)
“I will put My Torah within them. Yes, I will write it on their heart (Jeremiah 31:33b TLV)
Let’s agree. God has written, and is in the process of writing, His Torah on our hearts. Where do you think He begins? What do you suppose might be His principal priority? I think He’d start here:
And He said to him, “ ‘You shall love Adonai your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38This is the first and greatest commandment. (Matthew 22:37b–38 TLV)
The wise respect God. They honor His commands. This is the Greatest Command of all. It reveals God’s foremost goal. It is worthy of the highest regard. I know that all who read this already know that, but why not take a moment and do some gentle introspection: How highly do you value this command?
Let’s not forget a reason behind this command. God stresses this command because He wants your love. He rejoices in your love. Your love is part of the satisfaction He receives from being the Creator who is also a Father.
One way God-lovers have expressed their admiration, appreciation and adoration for their Creator-Father is through their praise. It is a major aspect of communicated love. Remember, the Lord said:
But an hour is coming—it is here now—when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people as His worshipers. (John 4:23 TLV)