Delight in the Lord. . . .

 

Some years I’ve begun with a devotional guide that seemed promising but didn’t work for me. I have certain traits that are either addressed or encouraged by the author’s perspective. The one I picked for this year tends to encourage my tendency to be harsh about the sins of others instead of drawing me closer to Jesus. It required a lot of thought and rewriting to avoid that finger-pointing at others — instead of being convicted by the Holy Spirit and loving Jesus more and more. I don’t want to encourage any sinful attitudes.

So I switched today to “A Godward Life: Savoring the Supremacy of God in All of Life” by John Piper. This book is not a calendar devotional but written in 120 chapters. This means reading parts of a chapter for 2-3 days and hopefully the Lord will use it to speak to my heart and deepen my relationship with Him.

Piper begins with saying, “God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in Him.” This is a wonderful spark of light, so true and such a great way to begin a day. I can read a good book, eat a sumptuous meal, make a prize-winning quilt, entertain a group of guests, enjoy a concert, and be satisfied in a great many other activities, but glorify God as much as being satisfied with Him.

For one thing, He always does His part. He listens, guides, answers prayer. My part is to talk to Him, listen and do what He says, and glorify Him in all things — for He is the one who makes it happen. I cannot boast when I pray and He surprises me with His responses. He does it all: prompts the prayer and then does the work — and gives the joy.

It is so easy to boast, but pride in my part does nothing to give Him glory nor satisfies me the same as the glory of who He is and what He is doing. He wants me to do my part, and even in the most ordinary things, I can glorify Him. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31) all for His glory, not mine.

Jesus said, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. (John 6:35)

 The bread of life satisfies. No hunger. The water of life quenches thirst. No parched anything. He gives abundant life, even in trials that He uses for my good and His glory:

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2–4)

Only the Lord can bring good out of what seems not good. Knowing that and remaining joyful in trials gives Him glory. Think of it: the most evil deed of putting the sinless Christ to death produced the greatest good offered to humanity! What could be a greater satisfaction than knowing the One who died that I might escape the penalty and power of sin? There is no greater glory for Jesus than being totally delighted in Him in a deep, love-filled relationship.

PRAY: Lord Jesus, I rejoice in You this day. Yes, there are black places, sorrows, and great challenges, but You are here with me, holding me close, and making me smile. You are my greatest joy!