In Whom Does the Lord Delight? (3) – When God Delights In You

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In Whom Does the Lord Delight? (3) – When God Delights In You

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr

Passage: Psalm 18:19


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When God Delights in You

We have been engaged in a short study based upon the title of this lesson.  Our text has been Thus far we have identified what it means to say that the Lord delights in us, noted how His delight ought to be our goal, notices some examples of those in whom the Lord delighted and then in our last lesson we noted the characteristics of one in whom the Lord delights.  These include: 1) Clean hands, 2) keeping God’s commandments, 3) Avoiding wickedness, 4) Being blameless before Him (taking care of our sins); 5) Being merciful, 6) Purity and 7) Humility.

Today, we want to ask the question, What does the Lord do for those who delight in Him?  As I begin this lesson, I want us to understand that what He does for us today is not as direct as during Biblical times when miracles and direct intervention were available and needed.  Anything He does today will be related to our spiritual relationship with Him and/or providentially, which means His working will come WITHIN natural boundaries (cf. Hebrews 1:1-2).  This is NOT because His power is limited, but the time of miracles and its purpose has been brought to its completion (cf. 1 Corinthians 13:8-12) – we have the completed word.  In fact, much of what is accomplished today is related to His word and how we respond to it.  But that does not dismiss that He can work in our lives today.  So let us notice some ways that God can act when He delights in us.

  1. He draws near to us
    1. James 4:8 – Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.  Note the condition, we are draw near to Him – we are delighting in Him and seeking to conform to His will.
    2. 1 John 3:1 – We are called children of God. As we have been studying in our class on discipleship, when God delights in us, we have relationship with Him.  We are part of His family!  And we enjoy all the benefits associated with that.
    3. 1 John 1:7 – We have fellowship with Him because we walk in the light with Him.
    4. Psalm 145:18 – the LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.
    5. Revelation 3:20 – of course, for Him to draw near to us, we must open the door and let Him in, as Jesus spoke of Himself to the church at Laodicea.
    6. When God is near to us, we have many blessings and opportunities.
    7. NOTE: To draw near to God is choice we must maintain. Like the prodigal son, we can CHOOSE to walk away from Him.  But understand, when we do, He will NOT follow you.  God is always where He has been, so IF He is to be near to us, it will be because we are moving TOWARD him – Hebrews 10:22 says because we have Jesus as our High Priest, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
  2. He strengthens us
    1. This is not talking about physical strength, but rather spiritual and mental strength. It is about making the spiritual heart stronger.  It is about resolve.  The point being, when God is delighting in us, He will give us the strength we need to live faithfully for Him.  We learn to trust Him no matter what.
    2. In our text, Psalm 18:19 we read, “He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me.” That “broad place” represents stable ground.  A place where we will not easily be overrun.  Think of Psalm 1:3, describing the one who does NOT fellowship with the ungodly, but his delight is in the law of the LORD which he meditates upon continually.  We read, He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
    3. Philippians 4:13, Paul noted, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
    4. 2 Timothy 4:17-18, as Paul is alone, and being charged, he notes, “But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me…”
    5. 2 Corinthians 12:10, after Paul is denied the removal of his thorn in the flesh, he replies, Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
    6. 1 Corinthians 10:13 – no temptation… make the way of escape.
  3. He protects us
    1. As a loving father protects his family, so God protects us.
    2. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 – But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. Again, He makes the way of escape for us – 1 Corinthians 10:13.
    3. 1 John 4:4, You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. Note also 5:4, Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
    4. Romans 8:31-39 is a passage we ought to read often as it reminds us that God does care and is still in control, regardless of what happens.
    5. 2 Peter 2:9 reminds us that He knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation and to reserve the unjust for the day of punishment.
    6. Galatians 1:3-4 reminds us that Jesus gave Himself so that He might deliver us from this present evil age.
    7. Matthew 6:13 – it is a part of our prayers to Him.
  4. He gives us peace
    1. Philippians 4:6-7 – Be anxious for nothing – the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds.
    2. The reason we can have peace with God when He delights in us, is because we KNOW that He is there and that He cares. We have done what He asks of us and know that He is ultimately in control.  Psalm 119:165, Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble.
    3. We have peace with God because we know that our sins are forgiven. The enmity that once existed is now gone – Colossians 1:21-23
    4. Proverbs 16:7, When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. The directions God gives us about living peaceably with men (Romans 12:18, Hebrews 12:14) includes attitudes and actions that promote peace:
      1. We think before we speak (James 1:19-20) and are slow to anger (wrath).
      2. We do good for everyone that we can (Romans 12:17-21)
      3. We even love and pray for our enemies (Matthew 5:44). These are the types of things that promote peace.
      4. Romans 14:19 – even as we deal with one another as brethren we pursue the peaceful way.
      5. Therefore, in this life we increase the likelihood of a peaceable life.
    5. John 14:27 – and it is different. Consider what He said to His apostles on the night of His betrayal.  The world may not understand the peace of God, but it IS what is needed.
    6. Isaiah 26:3 notes, You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. This was spoken to Judah as a promise of relationship when they were restored.
    7. 2 Thessalonians 3:16, Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.
  5. He hears our prayers
    1. Prayer is a privilege of the saved. While God hears everything, including the utterances of the unsaved, prayer is a special privilege that His saints have.    Proverbs 15:8 notes, The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
    2. 1 Peter 3:12 notes the He hears the prayers of the righteous.
    3. James 5:15-16 notes that the effective fervent prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much.
    4. Psalm 145:18-19, The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them.
    5. In contrast consider Proverbs 28:9, One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination.
    6. 1 John 5:14-15, Of course our prayers need to be “according to His will” and with the understanding that hearing our prayers does not always mean He will answer them affirmatively. He answers in the way that is BEST.
    7. But it is dependent upon us walking with Him (living so that He delights in us).
  6. He can use us
    1. The one whose goal is the delight of God is living in such a way that God can use him.
    2. Again, we note that God can use anyone in any way He chooses, but He depends upon man to do His part in reaching the lost and strengthening the saved. That becomes evident very quickly as we read God’s word.  1 Thessalonians 2:4, But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.
    3. But He cannot (or will not) use one living in rebellion and unrighteousness. How will the unholy man promote holiness?  How will the ungodly man promote godliness? How will the unfaithful man promote faithfulness?
    4. He NEEDS us to live so that He delights in us. Then He can use us (like Moses, Paul, Isaiah, Nehemiah, etc.).
    5. Jesus gave the great commission (Matthew 28:18-20) first to His apostles and by implication to all followers (cf. Acts 8:4).
    6. 2 Timothy 2:21 notes, Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
    7. He opens doors. The usage of that phrase in the NT is usually about reaching the lost.  And it is directed toward faithful stewards –
      1. Colossians 4:3 – Paul requested prayers that God would open doors.
      2. Acts 14:27 – as Paul and Barnabas return from their first preaching travels they report how God had opened doors.
      3. Revelation 3:8 – the church at Philadelphia was commended for their faithfulness. The text notes they had an open door that no one could shut.

These are some of the blessings from God that are extended to those in whom He delights.  More could be added to these with further study, but it is my hope that with these thoughts we can see that there is positive reason to live a life pleasing to God. Not only does it prepare us to spend eternity with Him, but it gives our life now quality, meaning AND direction.   And it is something God WANTS to give us (cf. James 1:17 – every good and perfect gift is from above…), BUT only if we genuinely pursue it.  Is God delighting in you? Think about it!

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