And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5

“He was an evil king, for he did not seek the Lord with all his heart.” (2 Chronicles 12:14)

Rehoboam was the grandson of King David. His missteps led to the tragic division of the kingdom. Both kingdoms then continued to dwindle until finally sent into exile.

King David, while certainly not without imperfections and grievous sins, was considered a man after God’s own heart in spite of himself. Why? Because, though imperfectly executed, he truly sought to follow God with his entire self. He didn’t compartmentalize his devotion to God to certain times and religious festivals. God was part and parcel of his day-to-day living, his constant counselor, his personal shepherd, and his intimate friend. That’s true devotion. 

Plain and simple, heart-felt devotion is what we pray for today…

Father,

I want to seek you with every ounce of my heart, intellect, energy, and capacity. I am done with being a part-time follower, for it is impossible as well as futile. There was nothing part-time, nothing lacking, nothing reserved in your devotion, Jesus, when you walked on this planet. You were in it fully. You jumped onto this planet with both feet. So I, like you, Lord, will jump into my commitment to you with both feet. I do not look back. I will not hesitate. I give myself to you spirit, soul, and body, and with great joy I will follow you wherever you lead.

In Jesus’ Name Amen.