Knit to the Soul
As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.—1 Samuel 18:1 (ESV)
But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.”—RUTH 1:16 NIV
An elderly man cared for his ailing wife. Alzheimer’s disease had affected her memory—but it hadn’t affected his. He remembered the woman she once was and the vows he had taken to care for her until the very end. His devotion to the woman he loved was unquestionable. He would not leave her or forsake her. Where she went, he would go—even if that meant traveling down roads he’d never anticipated.
Can you see the love and devotion poured out in this scenario? Can you sense this man’s overwhelming love for his wife? When we are devoted to someone—truly devoted—nothing can turn us away from that person. Not hardship. Not pain. Not sacrifice. Our hearts are forever linked to his or hers. Our minds are made up. We are in this…no matter what.
Jesus displayed that very same kind of devotion when He bore our sins on the cross. He took our burdens, our agonies, our pain, and placed them upon Himself. Talk about devotion!
Dear Lord, I become overwhelmed when I think of Your devotion to me, in good times and in bad. Thank You for sticking with me, and thank You for Your ultimate sacrifice on Calvary.
As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.—1 Samuel 18:1 (ESV)
For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”—Galatians 5:14 (NIV)
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.—John 15:12 (ESV)