Lovingly Devoted?

Because he is lovingly devoted to Me, I will deliver him; I will protect him because he knows My name. When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will rescue him and give him honor. I will satisfy him with a long life and show him My salvation. - Psalm 91:14-16

Have you sometimes wondered if, like the person addressed in this Psalm, you are "lovingly devoted" to the Lord? I certainly have. I mean, in the sense that a football fan might be devoted to their favorite team.

In these verses, God promised deliverance, protection, quick response, presence, honor, long life, and salvation for those who live unto Him. The only requirement seems to be that we do so not from a position of duty, but rather from a foundation of love. It seems that God desires our obedience, but not the kind that is blind. He is most pleased when we, open-eyed and open-hearted, yield to His purposes with the understanding that His love cannot be surpassed or even explained in worldly terms.

How can we gain such a comprehensive understanding of God's love? It is only experienced through the Cross of Christ and enjoyed in the surety of His resurrection. Only these two events, received and affirmed in the human mind and heart, can produce the loving devotion that God requires.

This is what the world must see, but of course we can only share what we possess.

I'm a very hard line, angry atheist. Yet I am fascinated by the concept of devotion. - Joss Whedon