- Jesus Lover of Your Soul –

[Abedgeno]

1 Peter 1:8, "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory"
____________

When someone loves another person, there is a compelling desire to express that love. On Valentine's Day or on a birthday we send flowers, cards, and chocolates for the one we love. Along with those precious gifts, of course, comes a candle lit dinner for two. On anniversaries, we also have an undeniable desire to express our love for that special person, in much the same way. Remember those timeless words, How do I love thee? Let me count the ways! I wonder when do we feel compelled to express our sincere and overflowing love to Jesus Christ, who gave His life for us? The story has been told of a young woman whose face always seemed to radiate Christian joy. Her actions also made it quite evident she was a devout follower of Jesus Christ. She also had another identifying feature; she always wore a little gold locket around her neck. Such oval or heart-shaped cases usually contain the picture of a loved one, which the wearer gladly shows to anyone who inquires. This girl, however, never showed anyone what was inside hers. One day, during a time when she had become seriously ill, one of her closest friends was permitted to open the locket. Instead of seeing the photograph of the girl's mother or of a male admirer, she found inscribed the words, 'Whom, having not seen, I love. The secret of her consecrated life was revealed. She had given her full devotion to Jesus; the Lover of her soul, and all her actions had been beautified by His presence.
____________

The following song is taken from the Living Hymns compiled and edited by Alfred B. Smith and published by Better Music Publications, Greenville, South Carolina. It is my sincere desire that this devotional will speak to your heart and soul concerning our Savior and His love for you and the world. He really is the Lover of Your Soul. Enjoy my brothers and sisters in Christ!

Jesus, Lover of My Soul

Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Savior, hide, till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide; O receive my soul at last.

Other refuge have I none, hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
Leave, ah! leave me not alone, still support and comfort me.
All my trust on Thee is stayed, all my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head with the shadow of Thy wing.

Wilt Thou not regard my call? Wilt Thou not accept my prayer?
Lo! I sink, I faint, I fall—Lo! on Thee I cast my care;
Reach me out Thy gracious hand! While I of Thy strength receive,
Hoping against hope I stand, dying, and behold, I live.

Thou, O Christ, art all I want, more than all in Thee I find;
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint, heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is Thy Name, I am all unrighteousness;
False and full of sin I am; Thou art full of truth and grace.

Plenteous grace with Thee is found, grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound; make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art, freely let me take of Thee;
Spring Thou up within my heart; rise to all eternity.
____________

Closing thoughts:

In Ephesians 5:25 we read, Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for her. Mark 12:30 says, You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all you mind. Just as God's loving and giving are inseparable, so too our giving is an expression of our love. It begins with giving ourselves to the Lord, each morning of the week, as we awaken, and commit that day unto His care. If we truly love Christ, we will want to live for Him right now (1 Peter 1:13-15). Moreover, the evidence of our love for Him will be heard in our spoken word, will be evident in our actions, but more importantly it will be seen on our face and how we live each and every day for Him, "The Lover of My Soul".
__________

(1) So, do you carry in the locket of your heart the memory of the One who died for you on Calvary? and
(2) Is He the lover of your soul?

[Bee3]