Devotional - 99-01-06 - Are We Delighting God?

Most of us are probably familiar with verses about us delighting in God, like this one:

Psa 37:4 (NNAS) Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.

But here is an awesome thought: Did you know that we, imperfect humans though we are, can be a delight to God, the Creator of the universe? How can we do that?

We delight God, who is truth (John 14:6), when we are honest.

Prov 12:22 (NNAS) Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal faithfully are His delight.

We delight our Heavenly Father, who desires communion with us, when we pray.

Prov 15:8 (NNAS) The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But the prayer of the upright is His delight.

And what kind of prayers does He desire? All kinds of prayers. He does want us to pour our hearts out to Him. (Psa. 62:8). But He also wants us to do it in a spirit of thanksgiving for what He has already given us and done for us.

Phil 4:6 (NNAS) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Our tenderhearted Lord, Who is the "God of all comfort" (2 Cor. 1:3), is delighted when we are kind and loving to others. He is pleased when we promote justice and fairness, when we support the oppressed, the vulnerable.

Jer 9:23-24 (NNAS) Thus says the LORD, "Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things," declares the LORD.

Rom 12:15 (NNAS) Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

He delights in our loyalty and when we seek to know Him and about Him.

Hosea 6:6 (NNAS) For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, And in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

How do we acquire this knowledge? Through prayer, studying the Bible, and through good sermons, Christian literature, the experiences of our fellow Christians.

Simply put, we can delight our Heavenly Father when we walk in His ways.

Prov 11:20 (NNAS) The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, But the blameless in their walk are His delight.

1 Sam 15:22 (NNAS) Samuel said, "Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams." When we obey Him, stay in His will, we delight Him.

I hope you will join me in trying to live a life that is more delightful to God.

Dear Lord, help us to focus on pleasing You. May our lives be a delight to Your heart. In Your Son's name, amen.

Jan

Rijan
http://www.cfdevotionals.org