The Purpose of Our Affections

“I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments” Psalm 119:131.  This verse expresses in a picturesque way David’s great affection for God’s word.  The soul’s passionate desire for God’s word is like the body’s thirst for water.  He longed for all of the encouragement and blessings that come from the knowledge of God.  God has endowed us with various affections so that we can know Him, serve Him, and enjoy Him.  He has given us the ability to love, fear, and admire HIm, along with other affections that make it possible for us to experience a full and satisfying relationship with Him.  Thomas Manton’s explanation of the purpose of our affections is brilliant: The soul never works better than in the strength of some eminent affection.  In all things that we take in hand, we do so weakly. while we have a listless will; but when the force of a strong affection is upon us, the soul is carried along strongly; for affections are the forcible and vigorous motions of the will.  Were it not for affections, our nature would be sluggish and idle.  The stronger our affections, the better we act.”  The more we love something, the harder we will work for it.  The purpose of biblical religion is to set our affections on the right objects.  The first and greatest commandment is that we love God with all our heart, and soul, and strength.  The foundation of our faith is setting our affections on God. The capacity to love enables us to cling to Him passionately.   God’s grace works in our hearts to make that a reality.  More of Manton’s thoughts on this tomorrow