I once visited a preacher in the hospital, and he sat up in bed and preached to us. He said, “People always talk about ‘God bless me,’ but did you know that YOU can bless GOD?” He was so excited about that. One verse he mentioned was “bless the Lord, o my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name” Psalm 103:1.
Okay, so maybe it is possible to bless God, but is it possible to simply make Him happy? Can I DELIGHT God? What kinds of things bring Him joy? Have you ever thought about that? What do you think that you can do to bring God joy? (Or is it even possible?)
The Bible says it IS possible. God delights in at least FIVE things described in Proverbs. Are you doing any of these things? Do your choices bring God delight?
- God delights in wisdom. Proverbs 8:30.
- God delights in accurate scales—that is, honesty. He is pleased when you are honest about your hours, about your pay, about money that is owed to you. “Dishonest scales are detestable to the Lord, but an accurate weight is His delight” 11:1.
- God delights in blameless conduct. “Those with twisted minds are detestable to the Lord, but those with blameless conduct are His delight” 11:20.
- God delights in honest people. “Lying lips are detestable to the Lord, but faithful people are His delight” 12:22.
- God delights in the prayer of the upright. “The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is His delight” 15:8.
Which of your habits and choices bring God delight?
Pray. Dear God, make us honest. Give us wisdom. Help us pray honest, real prayers. Help us behave in ways that bring you delight. May we speak, pray, and act in ways that honor you and bring you pleasure. Make us people who please God every day. Help us to love your word more and more every day.
ΑΩ
Household Words: 