Does the Lord Delight in You?
Let's make sure we are looking at life the right way today and every day. One way to do that is to ask ourselves, "Does the Lord delight in me?" (Numbers 14:8) Another way to say the same thing is, "Is the Lord pleased with me?" I hope each of us can answer that question in the affirmative.
It all begins with our basic trust in Him as Lord. Why would the Lord delight in someone who doubts Him and doesn't follow Him as Lord? I think you have to admit that would not be the right thing for Him or for us. If we knew His favor in unbelief, it would lead us to continue in our unbelief. Therefore, the first step in making sure God delights in us is trusting the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, once and for all.
Then, the Bible tells us clearly that God looks at the heart. For God to delight in us, we must have a heart that is set on Him, a heart that loves Him above all else. That part is possible for everyone, because love is a choice. We simply decide to love Him, and when we love Him, we keep His commandments. This warms the heart of God, just like when we have someone who loves us sincerely. This keeps us in God's pleasure every day.
Now, God's delight does not insure that we will not have trials and problems. God delighted in Job, but he had more problems than any human in history. The Father delighted in the Son, Jesus, but He died the worst death possible for our sins and salvation. However, we will win the ultimate victory in life and in death, if He delights in us. Job had twice as much in the end. Jesus was raised from the dead, and He received a name that is above every name. God will bring us into the land of milk and honey and defeat our enemies in His way, That is enough for me. I pray that He delights in me and in all of us.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Numbers 16-18.
It all begins with our basic trust in Him as Lord. Why would the Lord delight in someone who doubts Him and doesn't follow Him as Lord? I think you have to admit that would not be the right thing for Him or for us. If we knew His favor in unbelief, it would lead us to continue in our unbelief. Therefore, the first step in making sure God delights in us is trusting the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, once and for all.
Then, the Bible tells us clearly that God looks at the heart. For God to delight in us, we must have a heart that is set on Him, a heart that loves Him above all else. That part is possible for everyone, because love is a choice. We simply decide to love Him, and when we love Him, we keep His commandments. This warms the heart of God, just like when we have someone who loves us sincerely. This keeps us in God's pleasure every day.
Now, God's delight does not insure that we will not have trials and problems. God delighted in Job, but he had more problems than any human in history. The Father delighted in the Son, Jesus, but He died the worst death possible for our sins and salvation. However, we will win the ultimate victory in life and in death, if He delights in us. Job had twice as much in the end. Jesus was raised from the dead, and He received a name that is above every name. God will bring us into the land of milk and honey and defeat our enemies in His way, That is enough for me. I pray that He delights in me and in all of us.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Numbers 16-18.