As a little girl in Sunday School one of my favorite songs was a little chorus that went something like this: Touch your finger to your nose, bend from the waist way down and touch your toes, and when you come up slowly start to sing, and say to the Lord, I love you!² As the chorus continued we would then repeatedly sing the words I love you five or six times before starting another verse. By the end of the tune, which lasted about two minutes, we had sung I Love You over two dozen times!

As an adult I am ashamed to say that days may go by without the Lord hearing those words from me. We can spend time in prayer, asking and praising, and never utter the words, I Love You, Lord. But that one phrase is the greatest of all! Declaring our love for the Lord carries so much power! When things are going well for us, saying I Love You, Lord comes from a grateful heart, reflecting on how good God has been with us. When circumstances become difficult, saying I Love You, Lord becomes a choice of worship. Loving God during our trials puts our fears and doubts into perspective. We allow God to take control over our situations out of love and trust for Him.

Throughout the Psalms, King David continually poured out His love for the Lord, oftentimes mingled with fear for his life and doubts over his well-being. David begins Psalm 18 with the very words, I Love You, Lord.

As we take our needs to the Lord in prayer, ask for wisdom for the future, pray for your faith to be strengthened, but most of all ask God to fill you with His indescribable Love to love Him in return and to reflect upon others in our daily life.

Prayer:

I love You, Lord, and I lift my voice

To worship You, O my soul rejoice

Take joy, my King, in what You hear

May it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear³

Amen.

1. Psalm 18:1 (NLT). 

2. Say to the Lord, I love You, song by Debby Kerner & Ernie Rettino, 1981.

3. I Love You, Lord, written by Laurie Klein, 1978, Maranatha! Music 

The Encounter for today was written by: Veronica B.