Topical Bible: Delighting in God: Hypocrites: Blessedness

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Delighting in God

Delighting in God is a central theme in the Christian faith, emphasizing a deep, heartfelt joy and satisfaction found in a relationship with the Creator. This delight is not merely an emotional response but a profound spiritual state that reflects a believer's love, trust, and reverence for God. The Psalms frequently express this sentiment, as seen in Psalm 37:4 : "Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart." This verse underscores the reciprocal nature of delighting in God, where the believer's joy in the Lord aligns with receiving the fulfillment of righteous desires.

The act of delighting in God involves engaging with His Word, participating in worship, and living a life that reflects His character. It is a call to find ultimate satisfaction in God's presence and His promises, as expressed in Psalm 16:11 : "You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand."

Hypocrites

In the biblical context, hypocrites are those who outwardly display piety and righteousness but inwardly are far from God. Jesus frequently addressed the issue of hypocrisy, particularly among the religious leaders of His time. In Matthew 23:27-28 , Jesus declares, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."

Hypocrisy is a grave spiritual danger because it deceives both the individual and others, creating a facade of godliness without true devotion. The Bible warns against this duplicity, urging believers to cultivate genuine faith and integrity. In Isaiah 29:13 , the Lord laments, "These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me."

Blessedness

Blessedness in the biblical sense refers to a state of spiritual well-being and contentment that comes from living in accordance with God's will. It is often associated with the Beatitudes, where Jesus describes the characteristics of those who are truly blessed. In Matthew 5:3-12 , Jesus outlines the qualities of the blessed, such as being poor in spirit, merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers.

The blessedness of the righteous stands in stark contrast to the fate of the hypocrites. While hypocrites may receive temporary praise and recognition from others, their lack of genuine faith leads to spiritual emptiness. True blessedness is found in a sincere relationship with God, as seen in Psalm 1:1-2 : "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night."

The Bible consistently teaches that blessedness is not dependent on external circumstances but on one's relationship with God. It is a state of inner peace and joy that comes from knowing and serving the Lord, as expressed in Psalm 32:1-2 : "Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him, in whose spirit there is no deceit."

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 112:1
Praise you the LORD. Blessed is the man that fears the LORD, that delights greatly in his commandments.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Love
... The nature of love consists in delighting in an object. ... love to love the portion
more than the person.' Hypocrites love God ... What is God the better for our love ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/1 2 love.htm

A Few Sighs from Hell;
... of this world's good, accounting this the greatest, if not the only blessedness,
to have ... he is the most fool that will be one at last; and he that God calls so ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a few sighs from hell.htm

part ii
... of the greatness he received from God; by the despondency, weariness, and sometimes
unbearable anguish he inspires in men, judge of his former blessedness. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm

Christ a Complete Saviour:
... when he will pay the carnal and hypocrites' home with ... wherefore you that cry Christ,
Christ, delighting yourselves in ... kind, it is from God; by God all things ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/christ a complete saviour .htm