Delight is not used today as often as in other generations. Nevertheless, it still conveys a state of joy and blessing. We can be delighted over a positive event in our own lives or we can rejoice over someone else’s good fortune, delighted to hear their good news.
To be delightful to God means that we have His favor, His desire is toward us, that He wants to demonstrate to us His good pleasure. Not out of obligation, but.. willingly, voluntarily. He manifested his delight in His creation by willingly sacrificing His Son so that we could be saved.
What other things does the Lord delight in?
Here are a few…
** … but a just weight is his delight. ** Proverbs 11:1–Fairness, equality and justice delight the Lord.
**… but such as are upright in their way are his delight. ** Proverbs 11:20–When we choose good over evil the Lord is delighted.
** For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. ** Psalm 51:16 The Lord does not delight in our big gestures, but He does delight in our sincerity and humility. The Lord looks more at our heart and less at our activity.
** A good man obtaineth favor of the LORD: …** Proverbs 12:2 When we have a testimony of doing good, this is delightful to the Lord.
** Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. ** Proverbs 12:22 –Truth, honesty, sincerity, transparency delight our God.
** Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. ** Psalm 51:18 God’s chosen nation is a delight to the Lord, and also, the city that He plans to build for those who delight in His Son.
** How fair and how pleasant art thou, O love, for delights! **Song of Solomon 7:6 –The Lord delights in His Church, the Bride of Christ.
**…having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will…** Ephesians 1:5–The Lord delights in His plan for mankind and for those of us that were chosen to form His eternal family.
**..having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: ** Ephesians 1:9 –He delights in telling us His secrets. He loves to open our eyes to His plan and His purpose.
**…even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. ** Proverbs 3:12 This verse accompanies the next…The Lord delights in US!! In His children!
** He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me. ** Psalms 18:19–The Lord delights in His children, but more importantly, He delights in YOU!!! Just the way you are. He delights in your voice when you tell Him your sorrows. He delights in your tears of repentance. He delights in your hands when you comfort someone. He delights in your feet and calls them beautiful when you tell someone about Him. The Lord delights in YOU!!
**Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgement to the Gentiles. ** Isaiah 42:1 — His Son, Jesus, a willing, humble, obedient son. A Son that loves others more than He loves Himself. A Son that is willing to lay aside His glory and serve others and sacrifice the greatest sacrifice we have ever known. The Father’s soul delights in Jesus.
And my personal favorite!!!……
**…he delighteth in mercy. ** Micah 7:18 The Lord is not RICH IN MERCY because He has to be, but because HE LOVES to be MERCIFUL. IT DELIGHTS HIM. He voluntarily, willingly, rejoices in showing mercy to His Creation. Mercy.
That is definitely my favorite thing that the Lord delights in.