FALLING IN LOVE WITH GOD
 

… And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18  may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19  and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  Ephesians 3:17-19 

     When we truly understand the gospel message we come to know God as incredibly lovable. Yet, even aside from seeing His mercy revealed on the cross, those who know Him find themselves in awe of Him and enamored with Him. The old expression “to know Him is to love Him” must have started with God.

     Do you know anyone who is “dazzled” with God?  Do you know what that looks like, and do you know what it is about God that dazzles them?  One who was enthralled with God was King David – he was thoroughly smitten with Him. So fulfilled was he by his intimate relationship with his Heavenly Father he once declared “… As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. 2  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” (Ps 42:1-2). And again, “One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.” (Ps 27:4)

The longer David got to know God the more he found Him to be absolutely and totally wonderful.

I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. 3  Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. 4  I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. 5  My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. 6  On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. 7  Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. 8  My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.   Psalm 63:2-8

David loved God because he appreciated how He rescued and provided him safety in times of trouble.

But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. Psalm 59:16 

From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3 For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. 4 I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. Psalm 61:2 

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. 2  He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Psalm 62:1 

David loved God for the wisdom and practical value of His laws.

Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.  Psalm 119:97 

Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them. Psalm 119:129 

I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly. 168  I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you. Psalm 119:167-168 

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7 

He found Him faithful and dependable.

For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. Psalm 33:4 

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. Ps 145:13 

David was enthralled with God as the Creator.

Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. 2  Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. 3  For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. 4  In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. 5  The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. 6  Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; 7  for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.   Psalm 95:1-7 

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:13 

He was in awe of God’s omnipresence. 

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8  If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.   Psalm 139:7-8 

David was amazed by God’s omniscience.

O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. 2  You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3  You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4  Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. 5  You hem me in--behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. 6  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Psalm 139:1-6 

He revered God for His incredible power.

The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.   Psalm 97:5 

"How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you. Psalm 66:3 

I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. 3  Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. Psalm 63:2-3 

Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. 4  One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. 5  They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. 6  They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. Ps 145:3-6 

David feared God for His great authority

My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of your laws. Psalm 119:120 

You alone are to be feared. Who can stand before you when you are angry?  Psalm 76:7 

Who knows the power of your anger? For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you. Psalm 90:11 

If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? 4  But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared. Psalm 130:3-4 

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. 9  Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing … 11  Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Psalm 34:8-11

     This brief paper does not allow the space needed to help the reader discover all that is wonderful about our Heavenly Father, but there is path we can walk to meet Him. God makes a simple promise which He always fulfills. If we seek Him with all our hearts He will reveal Himself to us. We must spend time in the Word with a hungry, humble heart, praying that there we will encounter God. If we are to help our children find God irresistible, we must know Him deeply ourselves.

Jer 29:13  'And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 14  'And I will be found by you,' declares the LORD …

Adapted from Chapter 15 of Child Training Tips, Expanded Edition