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I find myself often thinking of things that bring me delight and thought what things delight the heart of God? As a mother I know what delights my heart as I look at my children and grandchildren and know that God must feel the same. As I was reading a blog by a pastor at Wheaton College, I thought the following passages would help us understand God’s heart and the things in which He takes pleasure; in which he delights.
Psalm 147:11 God delights in those who reverence and trust him and put their hope in his unfailing love. God does not delight in strength (v10) but he delights in us when we acknowledge our weakness and need of him. What an encouragement to come into his presence in those times when I am overwhelmed by all those things that I cannot control.
1 Samuel 15:22 “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”
Psalm 104:31 He delights in his works; his works of creation, which reveal his glory. So, as I praise him for a beautiful morning or stand awed by a gorgeous sunset, I am glorying in the very things that give him pleasure.
Psalm 149:4 He takes delight in his people, especially those who are afflicted. “… he will beautify the afflicted with salvation.” My Father delights in me even when I feel lost in my suffering!
Proverbs 11:1 He takes delight in honesty and dealing fairly with others.
Proverbs 11:20 “…he delights in those whose ways are blameless.” Blameless does not mean perfect, but it describes a person who strives to keep the way of God’s Law as the standard for right living. Job wasn’t perfect, but he strived to live uprightly and with integrity. King David wasn’t perfect, but in Psalm 25 he acknowledges he is a sinner and prays that his integrity and uprightness will protect him against the criticism of his enemies. My Father takes delight in my attempts to walk in obedience to him, just like I rejoiced in the first steps of my children before they fell down again.
Proverbs 15:8 The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but He delights in the prayers of the upright.
Proverbs 12:22 God hates lies but delights in those who tell the truth. But the implication here is that God delights in those who are “trustworthy” (ESV). People whose lives and dealings, as well as speech, are characterized by truth-telling.
Jeremiah 9:24 God delights in loving-kindness, justice, and righteousness. Rejoice when you see these things evidenced in this world and in your life because you know your Father is very pleased.
Matthew 3:17; 17:5; Isaiah 42:1 God delights in his Son, Jesus. It is little wonder then that God will use the difficult circumstances in our lives as a whittling tool to cut away things in us that do not resemble Jesus. Romans 8:28 indicates that “all things work together for good for those who love God,” and 8:29 defines “the good” as being “conformed to the image of his Son.” God delights when I think and act like Jesus, so he is in the process of reconfiguring me to make that happen. It’s a painful process and I have a long way to go, but one day, when Christ returns, it will be completed. “But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we will see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).
Psalm 18: 19 says, “He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me.”
Psalm 147:11 says, “But the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.”.
Psalm 70:4 “May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, ‘God is great!’
Micah 7:18 Who is a God like unto Thee, that pardons iniquity. He doesn’t retain His anger forever, but He delights in mercy.
Do we delight the heart of God with our thoughts and actions?
I know that I have been convicted that I need to “delight my God” much more than I do. I pray for all of us that we will be aware of His desires and enter His gates with thanksgiving and praise. Join me…
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