We use the word ‘delightful’ to refer to those few things that are extra enjoyable or which bring a special sense of pleasure to us. If something is a ‘delight’ then it’s something we would like to enjoy over and over again.
A life filled with delight is a rare and special existence. Most of us feel pleasure from time to time, but may go for a long while before saying we are really delighted with something.
Delight speaks of our emotional response. It is a personal feeling of pleasure and appreciation. It is lovely to see someone’s eyes light up with delight, as we see with young children being amazed at something new.
When a life is empty of delight people seem to just drag themselves through each day. There is no joy or delight to give spark to their existence.
The things of God are meant to be a source of great delight to us. We are to find wonderful pleasure and sweetness in God’s law and in our relationship with God.
“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:1,2
“Hallelujah! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments.” Psalm 112:1
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4
To people raised in a secular society, chasing after material possessions and self-indulgence, it can seem unlikely or even impossible that there is joy and sweetness in God or God’s laws. However, the things of God are sweeter than anything we can enjoy in our natural life.
King David praised God’s laws and precepts and the fear of God. He said these things were sweeter than the honeycomb.
“More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.” Psalm 19:10
So, believe it or not, there is a source of great delight available to you right now, as you choose to delight in God and His ways.
Note, too, that we can direct our delight. It doesn’t have to be ruled by our emotions. Random delight is as fickle as the wind. For example, we can be delighted with the talents of a musician or actor and find their performance really impresses us. But if we were to hear terrible things about that person our feelings about the performance could turn to strong repulsion.
We can direct our delight by choosing to give value to something. We can choose to spend time with spouse and children, rather than chasing our interests or work. We can choose to be with fellow Christians rather than giving time to our pastimes. We can choose to delight in God’s Word rather than wasting our hours and days on mindless distractions.
When we purposefully take delight in something we find that it brings us delight. When we place our value in things that have value we soon find rich blessing in them.
King David made a prophetic declaration that turned out to be the mind of Christ speaking about being delighted to obey God. Jesus came to earth to do the will of the Father.
“I delight to do your will, O my God: yes, your law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:8
For Jesus, doing God’s will meant being opposed by religious leaders and being put to death. It was terribly challenging. How could it possibly be a ‘delight’? Yet it was.
Further to that, there was great joy waiting at the end of the terrible things Jesus had to go through. Anticipating that joy gave Jesus strength to endure being crucified.
“Look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
Friends you are meant to be delighted. Delighted with God and delighted to do God’s Will. God’s Word is your delight. God’s laws and precepts and the fear of God are your delight. They are extra sweet, even sweeter than honey. If the things of God don’t seem very delightful to you then realise you have become distracted with empty things and are trying to give yourself happiness in things that won’t satisfy.
Choose today to take delight in being God’s child and in all that God stands for, such as building God’s Kingdom, doing God’s will, loving God’s Word, being with God’s people and upholding God’s values. As you do that you will be surprised how delightful it is to be in God’s family, with Him as your Heavenly Father. Friends, my desire for you is that every moment of your life is one in which you are Delighted!
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