“If our heart isn’t in it, we aren’t gonna win it.”

Jehoshaphat’s good deeds:

He did not consult Baals (false gods) but sought the God of his father.

He followed God’s commands instead of the practices of Israel.

He removed people’s beloved idols from his country, no matter the consequences.

He made it a goal to know God’s words and laws; he even sent teachers of God’s law throughout the entire country so everyone could know right from wrong.

Jehoshaphat’s heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord (2 Chorn 17:6).

Jehoshaphat’s good deeds and his destruction of evil is intimately and morally connected to his heart’s condition towards God. If I do not have love, all my good deeds amount to clanging cymbals!

The greatest commandment is to love God. Out of this flows obedience!

How to foster a love for God:

I choose whether to harden my heart, or not. When I hear God’s voice, when I see the words from Scripture, if I get a prophesy, even when I hear a sermon or go to Growth Group – I must not be defensive or reactive. I must have a soft heart that is moldable and open.  Hebrews 3:15 and Psalm 4:4.

We learn to love God by asking God to search our hearts, and lead us in “the way everlasting.” This is something that God does to us. Psalm 139:23-24.

We learn to love God as we know him better. Search his words. This is a response to God! 2 Chronicles 17:9.

We love God because he loved us first. Read about, and meditate on Scriptures about God’s love. Our love for Him is really all about what he has done, who he is, and how he molds our hearts.