Delighting in the Lord
In this article I want to look at an aspect of worship known as delight. Webster’s dictionary defines “delight” as (1)a high degree of gratification, or (2) something that gives great pleasure.
This word denotes such deep desire for something that it almost crosses over to having a deep lust for something. While we don’t want to hear the word ‘lust’ used in this way, it truly drives the point.
The bible uses the word “delight” in many instances to describe the relationship that we are to have with our heavenly Father. However, it also is used to describe God’s relationship towards us.
Psa. 37:4 Delight yourself also in the LORD (earnestly desire Him, be completely satisfied with Him and Him alone), And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Psa. 119:16 I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.
Psa. 119:24 Your testimonies also are my delight And my counselors.
Psa. 119:35 Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it.
These are just a few references, but there is one thing that I want you to notice in reading these passages from Psalms. Psalm 37:4 is a delight in the presence, or in the person of the Lord while Psalm 119 shows a clear delight for the words of the Lord. Having a desire for His presence is not enough, we must take delight hearing what God has to say—good or bad—and we must be ready to obey His voice. If we truly want to show delight for the person of God, we have to be obedient to the voice of God.
There are benefits to this kind of delight and passion for the Lord. We already saw one in Psalm 37:4 “..He shall give you the desire of your heart.” Let’s go to the New Testament.
John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
John uses the word “abide”, but it means the same thing as the passages in Psalms. If we are abiding in Him, then we are delighting (satisfied, or enjoying) in His presence. If His words abide in us then we are living by the things He has spoken. Now look at the benefits. “…ask what you desire (Psalm 37:4), and it shall be done for you.”
When we delight in the Lord, then it becomes His delight to work on our behalf. It becomes his pleasure to show us his favor. The word favor literally means ‘pleasure’, ‘acceptance’, or ‘delight’.
Psa. 90:17 May the favor (delight, or pleasure) of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.
When God delights in us, he reveals it by showing us favor, or grace.
Job 33:26 He shall pray to God, and He (God) will delight (show favor) in him, He shall see His face with joy, For He restores to man His righteousness.
Rom. 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable (delightful, pleasing) to God, which is your reasonable service.
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Practical Dilemma
This week I found myself returning to this very application in Kingdom Living, "Worship". Charisma magazine revisited this Christian performance, it seems to have become in too many of our gatherings.I agree with your position that your article e...more
Submitted by: Martha
Location: Riverdale, Georgia
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