Delight

There are a few things in this life that bring me delight. Granted, most of them involve food, especially chocolate, but what is delight? Webster defines delight as “a high degree of pleasure, or satisfaction of mind; joy.” In this chaotic world, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find things to delight in, to find satisfaction of mind, to experience joy. And maybe that is the problem; I am looking to “things” in this world for delight. Anything this world provides for my delight and joy is fleeting, it doesn’t last. As soon as I finish that chocolate donut, or take the last sip of chocolate milk, the pleasure is gone.

Perhaps I need to re-orient my mind to what can bring lasting delight and eternal joy. To do that, I must look at what the Bible says. There are six things we are to delight in.

First, we are to delight in God’s law. Psalm 1:2 says “but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.” God’s law also brings life, “Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight” (Psalm 119:77) and helps us in our trials, “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.”

Second, we are to delight in God’s commandments. Psalm 112:1 says “Praise the LORD, blessed are those who fear the LORD, who find great delight in his commands.” God’s commands show us right and wrong and teach us how to act in a morally upright way, “Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight” (Psalm 119:35).

Third, we are to delight in God’s testimonies. Testimonies are simply stories, in this case, the true story of God. Psalm 119:24 says “Your testimonies are my delight, they are my counselors.”

Fourth, we delight in God’s decrees, “I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word” (Psalm 119:16).

Fifth, we find delight and joy in the Lord Jesus, “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).

Finally, we desire to do God’s will. Psalm 40:8 says “I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.” When we put aside our own desires and seek God’s will, we will truly be satisfied.

If we desire joy, we must delight in God and God alone.

Of course, God’s laws, commandments, testimonies, and statutes can all be found in the Bible. We are to delight in His Word, His Person, and His Will. Instead of looking to the world for delight, satisfaction, and joy, perhaps we should open the Bible and find perfect delight, satisfaction, and joy there.

The ultimate delight is Jesus Christ, who died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sins so you can be reconciled to God forever and experience true joy.

This was first published in The Chappell Register on July 9, 2015.  Scripture references quoted from NIV and outline from Motivating with Scripture by John Regier, used with permission.  Photo from morgueFile.