Sacrificial Love

What does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul? — Deuteronomy 10:12

Spoiler alert! If you haven’t read O. Henry’s short story “The Gift of the Magi,” find it online and then come back!

As Christmas approaches, Jim and Della don’t have much money for bills, much less gifts. Jim has a gold pocket watch that was once his dad’s, Della has long, beautiful hair, and they both have an idea! Della cuts her hair and sells it so she can buy Jim a chain for his watch. Jim sells his watch in order to purchase some nice combs for his wife’s lovely hair.

Both Jim and Della gave up their most prized possession for each other. What a precious picture of one human being’s sacrificial love for another!

The cross is the ultimate picture of Jesus’ profound, sacrificial, and life-giving love for us sinful human beings.

Think back over your life.

What sacrifices have you made to show God your great love for Him?

What opportunity do you have this week to show your heavenly Father that you love Him? Put that love into action and ask God to teach you how to better love Him with all your heart, soul, and strength.

“I am committed to loving God and loving others.”

Excerpted with permission from Believe 365 Devotional by Randy & Rozanne Frazee, copyright Zondervan.

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Your Turn

What sacrifices can you make to show God how much you love Him? What about the people in your life? How can you show the love of Jesus to them this week? Join the conversation on our blog. We would love to hear from you! ~ Devotionals Daily