Delight-full

Delight. I often use that word. I love the feelings associated with it. It has always seemed more expressive than happy or gladness; deeper, purer somehow.

Delight is used many times in one of my favorite books of the Bible: the Psalms.
"But his delight is in the law of the Lord..."
"Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart..."
"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way."

Typically I think of our delight in God. I delight in His creation. I am delighted by His unfathomable Love. Others cause me to delight in His work in hearts and lives. We delight in Him--that's what comes to mind first.

Yet what about His delight in us? For me, that takes more imagination, more faith -- but it brings so much joy and...delight! It's amazing, but it's true. This concept struck me in a new way this afternoon as I reflected on all He has done lately. Someone else worded it beautifully: "This is new to us, but He's been working on it for a long time." I love the mental picture this brings. Like a poet, moved to express beauty through words, I love to imagine my Father absorbed in creating something beautiful, with a smile of delight in His eyes.

John Piper says God is most glorified when we are satisfied in Him. I believe this is why we were created -- to glorify Him! He didn't create us because He had to, or because He needed our praise. It wasn't even because He felt He should. No, He wanted to. He enjoyed it. He delights in us. As the verse above says, "He delights in his way." He loves to watch us as a loving father watches his newborn child; he can't take his eyes off of him. He loves to love us. He loves to write our stories. He loves it when we want Him to. We delight Him!

It has been easy lately to sense His joy. My Father has to be having so much fun doing all He has and is still doing! It is simply awesome to sit back and watch. But I pray I will remember His delight all the time. Whether I am aware of His beautiful plans and creativity in such a real way or not, I pray I will still delight in Him; and remember His delight.