God Delights In You
Dear Friends,
If you have children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews, you'll know there are times when they bring you great joy. Such as when you know they've tried their best at school and come home with a school report which says they're a pleasure to teach, or when they show generosity by sharing what they have with others, or show responsibility in working hard in a part time summer job, or make a stand for what they know is right, even though it may be difficult.
Our earthly families are to represent our spiritual family, so just as children bring their parents joy, we too, as children of God bring him joy. It's an incredible thought isn't it? That you and I can bring joy and pleasure to our Heavenly Father.
In the very beginning, creating the world, which included created people, brought God joy. In Genesis 1:31a we read that "Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!" (NLT) The Amplified Bible puts it this way: "And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good (suitable, pleasant) and He approved it completely." The Psalmist writes of God's delight in us in Psalm 149:2-4 "2 O Israel, rejoice in your Maker. O people of Jerusalem, exult in your King. 3 Praise his name with dancing, accompanied by tambourine and harp. 4 For the Lord delights in his people; he crowns the humble with victory." (NLT)
The theme of bringing delight to God is continued in the New Testament, for example, "for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him." Colossians 1:16 (NLT) God didn't create you and me because he was needy, because of something lacking in his life, because of a selfish desire to be loved. In fact, God as God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit already enjoyed a perfect loving relationship. He created us because he has so much love to give and he wanted us to experience the love with him that he already enjoys as a Trinitarian (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) God. This is what God the Father says about his Son: "and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, 'You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.'" Luke 3:22 (NLT) and in Matthew 12:18 “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight;" (NIV) As hard as it may be to really grasp, the truth is that God loves us just as he loves his Son and takes delight in us. Jesus says in his prayer for all who believe and will believe in him " I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me." (NLT) In Zephaniah 3:17 it says "For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty saviour. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs." (NLT)
So how does God find delight in us? Here are some of the ways:
1. As we find delight in God, as we enjoy being in his presence and walk with him, he takes delight in us. Psalm 104:33-34 "I will sing to the Lord as long as I live. I will praise my God to my last breath! 34 May all my thoughts be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord." (NLT)
2. God delights in our worship. "Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable (or well-pleasing) to God, which is your spiritual (or rational) service of worship." Romans 12:1 (NASB) Worship is not just about singing and giving praise to God, although that is part of our worship and does bring him joy. Worship is so much more than that - everything we do is an act of worship, or can be if we are doing it for him. "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters". Colossians 3:23 (NIV) Do you know that picking up the dirty clothes your children leave strewn across their bedroom floor and washing them (the clothes not your children!) can be an act of worship? As can refusing to take the bait when a colleague deliberately tries to get you to loose your anger. When you fill up your wife's car with petrol without needing to be asked. When you're having a busy day but take the time to stop and chat with a lonely neighbour.
3. God takes delight in us when we choose to follow and obey him, not because we must, or because we 'll be in trouble if we don't (like some naughty child) or to gain his favour, but simply because we love him and we love to bring him joy, to bring a smile to his face. "But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night." Psalm 1:2 (NLT) "Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands." Psalm 112:1 (NLT). John, one of Jesus' closest disciples, learnt from Jesus how to really love others and this comes out in the 3 letters he wrote. In the following verses you can see how the words he writes could quite easily have been mouthed by God himself to you and to me: "Some of the traveling teachers recently returned and made me very happy by telling me about your faithfulness and that you are living according to the truth. 4 I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth." 3 John 1:3-4 (NLT)
To Think About:
1. Do you find it hard to believe (and accept) that God really does delight in you? Despite all our flaws and failings, our weaknesses, our insecurities, our funny little ways, God loves us and takes joy and delight in us. God is truth, he always speaks the truth and tells us in his word on more than one occasion that he does delight in us. Over the coming days meditate on these truths and ask God to reveal them to you, that you will really know in your heart, that God delights in you.
2. In the past what has stopped you from believing this? What difference does it make in your life to believe that God delights in you as a parent delights in their child?
3. Out of the 3 points mentioned above, is there one in particular that God may be drawing your attention to? If so, what will you do about it?
Vicki
If you have children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews, you'll know there are times when they bring you great joy. Such as when you know they've tried their best at school and come home with a school report which says they're a pleasure to teach, or when they show generosity by sharing what they have with others, or show responsibility in working hard in a part time summer job, or make a stand for what they know is right, even though it may be difficult.
Our earthly families are to represent our spiritual family, so just as children bring their parents joy, we too, as children of God bring him joy. It's an incredible thought isn't it? That you and I can bring joy and pleasure to our Heavenly Father.
In the very beginning, creating the world, which included created people, brought God joy. In Genesis 1:31a we read that "Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!" (NLT) The Amplified Bible puts it this way: "And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good (suitable, pleasant) and He approved it completely." The Psalmist writes of God's delight in us in Psalm 149:2-4 "2 O Israel, rejoice in your Maker. O people of Jerusalem, exult in your King. 3 Praise his name with dancing, accompanied by tambourine and harp. 4 For the Lord delights in his people; he crowns the humble with victory." (NLT)
The theme of bringing delight to God is continued in the New Testament, for example, "for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him." Colossians 1:16 (NLT) God didn't create you and me because he was needy, because of something lacking in his life, because of a selfish desire to be loved. In fact, God as God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit already enjoyed a perfect loving relationship. He created us because he has so much love to give and he wanted us to experience the love with him that he already enjoys as a Trinitarian (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) God. This is what God the Father says about his Son: "and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, 'You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.'" Luke 3:22 (NLT) and in Matthew 12:18 “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight;" (NIV) As hard as it may be to really grasp, the truth is that God loves us just as he loves his Son and takes delight in us. Jesus says in his prayer for all who believe and will believe in him " I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me." (NLT) In Zephaniah 3:17 it says "For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty saviour. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs." (NLT)
So how does God find delight in us? Here are some of the ways:
1. As we find delight in God, as we enjoy being in his presence and walk with him, he takes delight in us. Psalm 104:33-34 "I will sing to the Lord as long as I live. I will praise my God to my last breath! 34 May all my thoughts be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord." (NLT)
2. God delights in our worship. "Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable (or well-pleasing) to God, which is your spiritual (or rational) service of worship." Romans 12:1 (NASB) Worship is not just about singing and giving praise to God, although that is part of our worship and does bring him joy. Worship is so much more than that - everything we do is an act of worship, or can be if we are doing it for him. "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters". Colossians 3:23 (NIV) Do you know that picking up the dirty clothes your children leave strewn across their bedroom floor and washing them (the clothes not your children!) can be an act of worship? As can refusing to take the bait when a colleague deliberately tries to get you to loose your anger. When you fill up your wife's car with petrol without needing to be asked. When you're having a busy day but take the time to stop and chat with a lonely neighbour.
3. God takes delight in us when we choose to follow and obey him, not because we must, or because we 'll be in trouble if we don't (like some naughty child) or to gain his favour, but simply because we love him and we love to bring him joy, to bring a smile to his face. "But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night." Psalm 1:2 (NLT) "Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands." Psalm 112:1 (NLT). John, one of Jesus' closest disciples, learnt from Jesus how to really love others and this comes out in the 3 letters he wrote. In the following verses you can see how the words he writes could quite easily have been mouthed by God himself to you and to me: "Some of the traveling teachers recently returned and made me very happy by telling me about your faithfulness and that you are living according to the truth. 4 I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth." 3 John 1:3-4 (NLT)
To Think About:
1. Do you find it hard to believe (and accept) that God really does delight in you? Despite all our flaws and failings, our weaknesses, our insecurities, our funny little ways, God loves us and takes joy and delight in us. God is truth, he always speaks the truth and tells us in his word on more than one occasion that he does delight in us. Over the coming days meditate on these truths and ask God to reveal them to you, that you will really know in your heart, that God delights in you.
2. In the past what has stopped you from believing this? What difference does it make in your life to believe that God delights in you as a parent delights in their child?
3. Out of the 3 points mentioned above, is there one in particular that God may be drawing your attention to? If so, what will you do about it?
Vicki
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