Delight in God who Delights in You

As we experience many delightful blessings this time of year, let us dig deeper into the word, "delight."

Psalm 1 is a song that contrasts the God-blessed person with the unblessed; the godly with the ungodly. As I meditate on this passage and the sermon from Sunday, I am continually helped spiritually and emotionally. One of the pivot points of the contrast is "But his delight," in vs. 2.

1. Delight (bless & take pleasure) in God's Person and People. We delight in the LORD when we delight in Him personally and relationally (Psalm 37:4). He pours out abundant blessings (Psalm 1:1) when we do NOT delight in ungodly counsel, the sinners' public ways, or the scorner's seat. We delight in God's crowd that edifies us for His glory.

When Israel was supposed to enter into their land, they listened to the ungodly counsel of 10 spies. The other two spies, Joshua and Caleb, said this, "If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us; a land flowing with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the LORD and fear the people of the land" (Numbers 14:8-10). The glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle to affirm the counsel of the godly spies, and to warn the nation that He was not delighted in their fear and distrust.

Later, during the time of the Judges, God judged the High Priest, Eli along with his wicked sons, Hophni and Phinehas. When Eli's pregnant daughter-in-law, then a widow, bore her son, she named him Ichabod, saying "The glory of the LORD has departed" (I Samuel 4:21-22).

So let us take delight in God's Person and People, like Joshua, Caleb, & Samuel, and reject the counsel, stand, and seat of people like the ten spies, and Eli & sons.

2. Delight in God's Word, Will, and Ways (Psalm 1:2). "But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law does he meditate day and night." The blessed, godly man delights in God's person and people so much that he DOES delight obeying and meditating on His Word. Every day we must find truths, principles, and promises that keep us excited about the LORD. Allow His Word to then train you on how to delight in all of the delightful blessings, gifts, and circumstances in this world. I Timothy 6:17 says, "Command those who are rich in the PRESENT age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches, but (to trust) in the living God who gives us richly ALL THINGS to enjoy." When you delight in gold, and you make it an idol, then Psalm 1:3 does not apply to you.

3. Delight in Being Planted by God and Productive for God (Psalm 1:3). Take time to work on your inner character development by meditating on II Peter 1:3-8. BEING established with God's very character in our spiritual genes makes us delightful to Him and a delight to those around us. Believing rightly or doing right is not enough. Be virtuous within.