1 Sam 13 & Acts 13(v22) say that David was a man after God’s heart.  He was possibly the most passionate believer who ever lived.  This psalm is written during one of the toughest times of David’s life.  He has been anointed as King and promised the throne, yet the reigning authorities are hunting him down like a wild animal.  He is amazingly grateful in spite of his circumstances.  Verses 3-4 really tell us the story of his heart.

No one in the New Testament captured the love of our Lord better than the Apostle John.  John understood what it was to be loved better than all the other apostles.  He knew what it was to be loved that’s why he wrote 1 John 4:19 – ‘We love Him because He first loved us.’

I Love the Lord BECAUSE…

Because of WHO God is (Ps. 116 is about God – His nature and mighty acts: v5).  He is righteous (pure) with Absolute Power, yet Uncorrupted (no agenda).  He is merciful (withholding what I deserve: Hell) and He is gracious (giving me more than I deserve: Heaven)!

Because of WHAT God does (v2,6-8,16).  He not only hears me, He listens to me. He cares about little old me! He Watches over me, getting me out of my jams.  He’s able to deliver me! He gives rest and peace which sustain me!

BECAUSE I Love the Lord…

Ps. 116:12 records the turning point of the chapter.  David is overcome with love and responds back to God with ‘I will…’  I will love him more (Matt 10:37; John 21:15 – more than other things or people).  I will walk before the Lord (v9) and live my life to please the audience of One.  I will trust Him (v13) by drinking of the cup of salvation (the only one way to do that: faith).  I will praise the Lord (v13b-14, 17-19) through public worship by song & testimony.  I will serve the Lord (16) by yielding to the LORD as my Lord (Master).  Jesus is more than my Savior.

There’s an old story about St Augustine. Early on in his Christian life, he was intensely absorbed in the writings of Cicero. And around this time, he had a dream that he had died. And now he was standing at the pearly gates. And the keeper of the gate said, “Who are you?”
And he said, “I’m Augustine.”   Then the keeper said, “What are you?”
Augustine said, “I’m a Christian.”   The gatekeeper said, “No, you’re not a Christian. You’re a Ciceronian!”
Augustine said, “What are you talking about? I’m a Christian!”
And the gatekeeper said this: “All souls on earth are judged by what dominated their interests. In you, Augustine, it was not the Christ of the gospel. It was the Cicero of Roman literature. You are not a Christian. You cannot enter here!”   Augustine was so startled that when he woke up, he resolved then and there to be fully committed to Jesus Christ for the rest of his life and to live for Him.

Col. 2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: