Love First
“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love…”
Let your love be first—first in my day, first in my
thoughts, and first in my life. You love me—yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Your steadfast love is unchanging, unwavering, and unmerited. It disregards
circumstances and doesn’t depend on feelings. It’s fact. It’s abiding. It
puts everything else in its place. Even in suffering, your love always works
for good in my life.
“...for in you I trust.”
I trust in you. This trust has been born in the fire of
adversity, in a history of past trials in which you have been faithful and
good, always prevailing.
“Make me know the way I should go…”
My eyes are on you, looking for your light to shine on my
path. I don’t pretend to know my way on my own. I want to act on your leading,
not my own intuition or in fear of what others think I ought or ought not to
do. My way is with Jesus—the way, the truth, and the life.
“...for to you I lift up my soul.”
I entrust my soul to you alone. I’m safe with you. You are my refuge.
“Teach me to do your will…”
I’m weak and prone to to wander. I’m sinful and inclined to
pursue my own agenda. Forgive my self-seeking, and give me a humble heart and
teachable mind.
“…for you are my God!”
Why? Because you are my God! Not another person, religion,
or idol that competes for my affection. You’re loving, holy, and wise. My heart
submits to your will because you alone are my God.
“Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!”
Your Spirit is good. Would your Spirit lead me on a path
that isn’t level? Of course not!
When I start with your love:
If you love me…
If you hold my
soul…
If you are first in my life…
Then I can trust you. I can go where you lead. I can do what you say. My path is
level.
If I’m secure in my relationship with you and your love for
me, then I don’t need to envy others, boast about my achievements, or find my
security in any other sinful behavior. I can be patient, kind, and bear with
others when they sin against me or act out of weakness towards me.
Because I’m
loved, I love.
Psalm 143:8, 10