Did you know that God delights in you as His adopted son or daughter? Not that He just “tolerates” you, but that He truly delights in His relationship with you?
The Scripture tells us in many places that God delights in us as His children. Here are three examples:
Psalm 18:17-19, “He rescued me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me. They attacked me at a moment when I was in distress, but the LORD supported me. He led me to a place of safety; He rescued me because He delights in me.”
Zephaniah 3:17, “The Lord your God is in your midst, a Mighty One who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness.”
Psalm 147:11, “The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His steadfast love.”
The Lord etched this in my soul recently on a Sunday at our local church. No, not in a sermon – although the sermon was great. But rather during our time of worship.
I cannot tell you what song we were singing, and I don’t think that even mattered for what the Lord was showing me. It was not about the song, but about WHO was singing and the delight that it brought to a father’s soul.
To share a little backstory, two of our three adult kids attend the same local church my wife and I do. On this particular Sunday, I had looked to see if I could find our oldest son’s car in the parking lot, as he usually parks at or near the same place we park. I didn’t see it so I wondered if he and his wife would be attending one of the later services. Stay with me – I am getting there.
When I met my wife at our usual spot in church, she also asked if I had seen our son’s car and I told her that I had not, and that they must be going to a later service. Then the service started, and I forgot all about it.
But then it happened. I heard it -- somewhere near the end of the first song.
What did I hear? I heard the voice of our oldest son singing in the row behind us. And it delighted my heart. Not just that he was singing, but that he was there praising the Lord. I didn’t even have to look. I knew that was his voice.
In that moment, it was as if the Lord said to my soul, “That’s how I feel, Glen, when I hear your voice”. The joy I felt when I heard our oldest son’s voice was the same kind of joy our Heavenly Father feels when He hears one of His own beloved sons’ or daughters’ voices.
As a parent, I remember similar moments of delight for me as a father with our other kids. When I found out our youngest son was getting up early to attend a 6am men’s study, it greatly delighted my soul! And when I found out our daughter had signed up to be part of 9-month-long discipleship course, again I greatly delighted as a father. If you are a parent, I know you have similar memories of delight.
And let me remind you that this is not only about singing. I do believe He loves to hear us sing praises to Him, but He also delights to hear us cry out to him in prayer – in prayers of thanksgiving – or in prayers of desperation!
So when was the last time you delighted your Heavenly Father’s heart with your praises or your prayers to Him? In multiple places in the Psalms, it tells us that God “inclines His ear to hear us”. Do you believe that? Do you believe He delights to hear your voice?
Take a step of faith and cry out to Him right now. This could be singing a favorite worship song to Him with all your heart. Or taking time to bow in prayer and cry out to Him in thanksgiving, or in your need for His help.
Don’t delay any longer. Delight the Lord’s heart by letting him hear your voice even right now. Thank You Lord that You delight to hear us as Your kids. May our praises and prayers bring joy to You in this very moment!
Further Reading on This:
Link to Desiring God Post – Why God Tells us He Delights in His Children
Link to Austin Stone Church Post – God’s Delight and Our Prayer Life
Photo by Kane Reinholdtsen on Unsplash
Written by Glen Solberg, Abiding Marriage, 2022. All Rights Reserved. Please email us at info@abidingmarriage.org for any comments or questions.