DELIGHT is our focus word, compliments of Irene L. Please join us.
Delight. Here’s what I’m thinking. There’s no greater joy this side of Paradise than delighting in the Lord–the kind of joy that led Pentecost onlookers to question the Spirit-filled apostles’ and disciples’ sobriety.
Sometimes I’ve experienced that kind of joy while worshiping Him solitarily and silently.
Other times, I’ve been caught up in that kind of joy while worshiping Him in community, especially amid hymns of praise and thanksgiving.
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence… (Ps. 16:11)
How blessed we are that our God allows us to enter into His Presence, to worship Him.
Given how Infinitely Loving, Majestic, Good is our God…no wonder that there is delight in His Presence!
What is especially humbling to ponder is that this Infinitely Majestic God would delight in His creatures!
The Lord, your God, is in your midst,
a warrior Who gives victory;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will renew you in His Love;
He will exult over you with loud singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)
How Infinitely Loving and Good God is to deign to delight in us–to sing over us. Imagine!
And even more humbling for me–more difficult to wrap my head around; to really accept is to imagine those words personally directed at me. Sometimes I find God’s Infinite Unconditional Love overwhelming. Maybe because I feel incapable or unwilling to reciprocate, even to the fullest extent of the limited way I am able…Foolish pride. False humility.
Today’s focus word reminds me of the reciprocity involved in making a spiritual journey with and toward an All-Loving God.
To be delighted in by the Lord, and to delight in Him, always! what an amazing way to journey–even during Lent.
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence… (Ps. 16:11)
Delightful!
Noticings, Wonderings, & Yearnings... 
That Zephaniah scripture always makes me smile. You’re right – what a privilege to delight in the Lord and have him delight in us!
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Amen! Thank you for taking time to read and to share:)
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Thank you for this reminder of the link between delight and song! May we all delight in the singing and in the listening. Thank you!
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Given what a musically gifted son you have, I’m not surprised that the connection of delight and song resonated with you! God bless you (and him). Thank you for sharing your powerful OLW.
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Bobbie, I took was taken by the pure uplifting feeling of listening to and responding to worship songs. I recall once entering the Cathedral in town for a healing mass and feeling totally uplifted as I heard the song pouring out. That as a delightful experience that sheds light on “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence”. Thank you for this scripture that I will carry into my day. Let my eyes be opened even more today.
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Thank you for sharing your similar experience. We are so incredibly blessed to have so many ways to be delighted when we worship our God. Hope you are feeling uplifted all day by the thoughts (& hummings?) of worship songs. God bless you! As always, thank you for taking time to read and to respond. I appreciate your sharing!
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I can’t imagine God delighting about me. That is such an amazing thought. Thank you.
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Funny–I am SURE God delights in you; but I share your thoughts when I think about His delighting in me. We have to change our thinking into His thinking…otherwise, we’re missing out/deceiving ourselves. Maybe that’s why we’ve been brought together on this leg of the journey, to help each other see and believe things we can’t see or believe for ourselves. Thank you for being you, much beloved and delighted in by God. And thank you for sharing your honest reactions to my reflections, which I appreciate your reading!
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Just this morning, in my book group, we were reading a chapter on Jesus loving us individually – just as you said – becoming aware of the reality that God delights in and loves you. It is a thought to ponder. We say we know, we say we love Him. But He loves us more than we love Him. Good luck on topping God at anything! Beth Moore’s book, Audacious, is a good one to get a bit more bold and come to some understandings….and it’s not too long!
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This was for Mary above! Sorry. I’m not doing so great at putting my comments in order today!
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Thank you for reading and for sharing your similar experiences. Thanks, too, for the book recommendation. I can never overload on reading about God’s love for us! God bless you!
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Okay, it is for all. Nevermind. I need another coffee and maybe a nap!
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I do love that image of God singing over me. Beautiful.
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Thank you for taking time to share your beautiful response. I love to hear music; I love to sing…Someday, God Willing, we will hear those sounds of His Love clearly, without doubt or hesitation. Sounds as if you allow yourself to hear Him singing over you, right now; right where you are! Your trust in that reality is a blessing, not only for you, but for the rest of us who are trying to imagine that reality in terms of ourselves. Thank you! Your succinct, matter-of-fact affirmation is very trust-provoking; your belief is catching! God bless you!
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How fun to read your take on delight and think about the Lord delighting in us individually. You gave me a new perspective – to be delighted in by the Lord.
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Thank you so much for taking time to read and to share your affirmation. I’m so glad that you found delight in the Scriptural reality of our being, individually, delighted in by the Lord. It is a delicious thought, isn’t it? (I think that metaphor came to mind because I’ve been up two hours, and haven’t stopped writing to eat–yet!) Your honest, enthusiastic comment has fed me, nonetheless. Thank you; God bless!
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These words: “Sometimes I find God’s Infinite Unconditional Love overwhelming. Maybe because I feel incapable or unwilling to reciprocate, even to the fullest extent of the limited way I am able…” How true. Thanks for focusing us on the vastness of God’s love for us!
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His Love is vast, isn’t it! Maybe that’s why it’s hard to imagine His Love simultaneously being focused (with vast, laser-sharp intention and precision) on each one of us, individually in such a way that it is vastly embracing and vastly freeing. We could ponder God’s delight over us forever; praise God, He makes it possible for us to do just that! Imagine Heaven…God bless you; thank you for taking time to read and to comment in a way that inspires me to keep extending my reflection. Thank you!
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