Eastertide Devotion – June 2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wedding_rings.jpg

And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen.” Acts 1:24

June is traditionally the month for weddings. In fact, our friends are celebrating their 41st wedding anniversary today. There are many great blessings that God grants to us through marriage. Besides lifelong companionship, God often grants the gift of children and grandchildren. Ecclesiastes reminds us that if one falls down the other can pick him up.

Here is one blessing that you may have observed in a long lasting marriage. One begins a sentence and the other one finishes it. It is a great blessing to be in a relationship where your heart is known and you know the heart of the other!

Acts 1:24 reports to us that God knows the hearts of all. It is very comforting to know that God knows your heart! It may also be a cause for immense anxiety. When we are honest with ourselves, we must admit that there is much in our hearts that we would prefer to remain unknown!

God in His mercy loves you even though He knows your heart. He knows all of your hopes and desires.  He knows all of your failures and all of your shortcomings. It is because God knows your heart that He sent Jesus to be your Savior. There is no way we can love God with all of our hearts but God in Christ loved us with all of His heart.

Marriage is one of the few places in life where we might be able to glimpse self-sacrificing love. Even there it is rare.  But the place where we can see this love most clearly is in the cross of Christ.

Prayer: Lord, you know my heart. Thank you for your love and forgiveness in Christ in spite of the evil desires I hide there. Grant that I may live my life reflecting your love. Amen.

God’s richest blessings in Christ,

Pastor Philip Quardokus