Daily Devotionals

The Relationship Playbook: Week 1 - Friday

"Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?" Jesus replied, "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.'" Matthew 22:36-37

When we go through times of uncertainty or difficulty, there is one result that must not be overlooked: We are forced to depend on God. One of my seminary professors said it this way, "You will never know a God who is bigger than your difficulties until He walks with you through those difficulties and demonstrates that He is bigger." For some reading this, singleness might be a big hurdle you are trying to walk through. Some of you are single and perfectly content with your singleness, but there is another hurdle that you are facing. Others of you are married and walking through different hurdles. Let me assure you, my friend, that God is bigger than anything that you are facing. And, despite anything we face, nothing compares to the closeness we feel as God walks us through all of our trials and difficulties.

When considering how we should live our lives as we face whatever difficulties come upon us, Matthew 22 offers guidance. Whether we are going through difficulties or going through a time of peace, these verses in Matthew encourage us to cling to God. In these verses, religious leaders go to Jesus and ask Him what the most important commandment is. "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind," Jesus replied (verse 37). In other words, Jesus tells these religious leaders that the most important thing they can do is turn to Him and make Him the biggest priority in their lives. In times of loss, we can cling to God. In times of plenty, we can cling to God. He is enough.

I'm not sure what you are facing today. Maybe you are struggling in the place where God has you. Let me encourage you to cling to Him. Turn to Him. Read your Bible. Pray. Journal. Seek Him with all of your being, despite the difficulty before you. As you do this, He will show you that He is more than enough.

Moving Toward Action

Take some time today to spend 30 extra minutes with God. Pray for that period of time. Spend that extended time reading your Bible. Go on a walk and pray. Whatever you decide, enjoy this extra time deepening your relationship with Him.

Going Deeper

Read Matthew 22:33-40 (NLT)

When the crowds heard him, they were astounded at his teaching.

But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they met together to question him again. One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”