Everyone lives for something or someone. Out of this primary value comes what we cherish, value, and delight in. We give our attention to things we think will bring us pleasure and meaning.
Satan’s great agenda is to get us to delight in everything but God. Like he tried to do with the man, Jesus, in the wilderness, he dangles his delights before our eyes, tempting us to live for lesser things.
Jesus would have none of it. He resolutely resisted every substitute, for He knew there was nothing there of value. Nothing worth delighting in.
THE RIGHT PLACE FOR OUR AFFECTIONS
The Psalmist speaks of the blessing that will come to those who resist the lure of false delights.
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:1-2)
The wise man finds his joy in one central place. “His delight is in the law of the Lord.” This contented disciple has learned the secret. He has set his face toward God and loves listening to Him. Each word from heaven has become his passion. And out of that delight, he “meditates day and night” upon the only One and the only word that can fill his heart with joy.
STABILITY, FRUITFULNESS, AND PROSPERITY
There is a direct result of a determined delight in God. You don’t see this man running here and there trying to find one more something to fill his empty soul. A matured stability comes from abiding in the foundational Vine.
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. And in whatever he does, he prospers. (Psalm 1:3)
What more could one want? This is a direct and permanent promise from the One who made us. When we are delivered from the frenetic search in all the wrong places for joy and simply delight in God alone, we find stability, fruitfulness, and real prosperity in the purest sense of the Word.
We will all delight in something this year. Where will you set your mind, heart, and soul? Determine now to pursue God and all He is each day. Start each morning with this pursuit; end each night recounting the blessings you’ve enjoyed. Delight in Him and make it your daily habit to set your face towards Him as your passion.
Every morning, lean thine arms awhile
Upon the windowsill of heaven,
Then, with the vision in thy heart,
Turn strong to meet thy day.
