FROM DRUDGERY TO DELIGHT. “Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” - PSALM 37:4 King David describes the life of a believer as one that “delights” in God, overflowing with love and joy. He had discovered that there is “fullness of joy” in the Lord’s presence (Psalm 16:11). David’s son Solomon shares a similar theme about the life of a person who “finds wisdom”: “[Wisdom’s] ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her” (Proverbs 3:13–18). This life of blessing is God’s will for you, my friend! Our Heavenly Father wants His children to serve Him out of love and gratitude, not obligation or fear. Our faith and obedience will be the direct by-product of delighting in His love. David says something remarkable happens when you learn to delight yourself in the Lord: “He shall give you the desires of your heart.” What a fantastic promise! If there’s some need or desire that has been unmet in your life in the past, I encourage you to follow David’s prescription for breakthrough: “Delight yourself also in the LORD!” When you put this powerful principle to work, you’ll be amazed by how quickly you receive what you’ve been praying for. That’s why Paul says to let your requests be known to God “with thanksgiving”—knowing that your answer is already on its way (Philippians 4:6)! GETTING THE LOVE BACK. Perhaps you are saying at this point, “ we used to delight in the Lord when we first got saved. But somehow we have lost that intimacy along the way, and we don’t know how to get it back.” First, let me commend you for your honesty! Being real with God about the condition of our heart is the first step in receiving a spiritual turnaround. It’s also important to recognize that you are not alone in what you’re experiencing. The church in Ephesus was a mighty testimony of the grace and power of Jesus Christ (see Acts 19), but Jesus confronts them in Revelation 2:1-4: “I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” Although they were still busy with religious activities, they had lost their joy in serving the Lord. Jesus gave the Ephesians a remedy for their condition—the same remedy He would prescribe for those who have lost their first love today: “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works” (v. 5). The two key words here are “remember” and “repent.” They were told to remember their original delight in knowing the Lord, considering how much better their life was when they experienced that closeness to Him. And then they were told to repent, humbling themselves before God and resuming their former zeal and diligence. The Ephesian church was told to do its “first works” again—praying, fasting, dealing with sin, and not resting until they had recovered all their lost ground and a genuine love for Jesus. HOW ABOUT YOU? Only Jesus can provide the love our hearts so desperately need. A relationship with Him must be so much more than good works, religious ceremonies, or doctrinal orthodoxy. When Jesus died on the Cross, the thick Temple veil was torn in two from top to bottom, signifying that intimate access to the Father was available to all (Matthew 27:51). No longer would God be distant, unapproachable, or separated from His people. Jesus opened the way for us to enter into the Holy of Holies, beckoning us to “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). He has been waiting for us to draw near and experience the fullness of His love. Never forget God’s amazing grace that purchased your salvation at such a huge price. His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). TODAY can be a day of new beginnings in your relationship with Him, as He brings you from drudgery to delight! Because of Him.
Posted on: Wed, 08 Oct 2014 08:14:20 +0000
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