Delighting in God is a profound theme woven throughout the Scriptures, emphasizing the joy and fulfillment found in a restored relationship with the Creator. This delight is not merely an emotional experience but a deep-seated joy that arises from reconciliation with God, a central tenet of the Christian faith.

Reconciliation with God

Reconciliation is the process by which humanity is restored to a right relationship with God, a relationship that was fractured by sin. The Apostle Paul speaks to this in 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 : "All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them." Through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, believers are brought back into fellowship with God, enabling them to experience true delight in Him.

Delight as a Result of Reconciliation

The delight that follows reconciliation is multifaceted, encompassing peace, joy, and a renewed sense of purpose. Psalm 37:4 encourages believers to "Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart." This delight is not about receiving material blessings but about aligning one's desires with God's will, resulting in a profound sense of satisfaction and joy.

Peace with God

One of the immediate outcomes of reconciliation is peace with God. Romans 5:1 states, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." This peace is not merely the absence of conflict but a deep, abiding sense of well-being and security in the presence of God. It is a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7), guarding the hearts and minds of believers.

Joy in the Lord

Reconciliation also leads to an overflowing joy in the Lord. Nehemiah 8:10 declares, "Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." This joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and is rooted in the assurance of salvation and the ongoing presence of God in the believer's life. It is a joy that remains steadfast even amidst trials and tribulations, as it is anchored in the eternal promises of God.

Renewed Purpose and Mission

Delighting in God through reconciliation also brings a renewed sense of purpose and mission. Believers are called to be ambassadors for Christ, sharing the message of reconciliation with others. 2 Corinthians 5:20 exhorts, "Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God." This mission is a source of great joy and fulfillment, as believers participate in God's redemptive work in the world.

Intimacy with God

Finally, reconciliation leads to a deeper intimacy with God. James 4:8 promises, "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." This intimacy is characterized by a personal and growing relationship with God, nurtured through prayer, worship, and the study of His Word. As believers draw near to God, they experience His presence more fully, leading to an ever-increasing delight in Him.

In summary, delighting in God is a natural and joyous outcome of reconciliation. It encompasses peace, joy, purpose, and intimacy, all of which flow from a restored relationship with the Creator through Jesus Christ. This delight is both a present reality and a foretaste of the eternal joy that awaits believers in the presence of God.Job 22:21,26
Acquaint now yourself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come to you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Sin-Bearer.
... an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity ... always going astray, loving
to go astray, delighting in it ... we wander at any time, we bless God that there ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/the sin-bearer.htm

Sin and Grace
... and angered by our sin, but who, delighting in mercy ... the still greater subject of
the love of God in Christ Jesus, and the way of reconciliation by Christ ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 54 1908/sin and grace.htm

Ephesians iv. 25-27
... ourselves; by reflecting that we are delighting the devil ... Let us entreat God, let
us entreat him whom ... us apply the remedy, prayer, and reconciliation with him ...
/.../homily xiv ephesians iv 25-27.htm

The Epistles of Paul.
... in the fact that they are described as "delighting in humility and ... of instruction
for all to whom God has committed the ministry of reconciliation. ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxx the epistles of.htm

Christ a Complete Saviour:
... which I am designed by this reconciliation to God ... wherefore you that cry Christ,
Christ, delighting yourselves in ... his intercession them that come to God by him. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/christ a complete saviour .htm

The Saints' Privilege and Profit;
... A sense of our want and unworthiness leads us to God in that new and ... He speaks here
of God as solacing himself in mercy, and as delighting of himself ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the saints privilege and profit.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1824 to the ...
... now going forward in the world, God gave through the instrumentality of the Wesleys
and their coadjutors in the ministry of reconciliation.' The introduction ...
/.../chapter 8 from the close.htm

A Few Sighs from Hell;
... but behold a gallows; or our mother Eve, who conceited to be as God, but became ... the
simple with fair words, but conceals that the way to her house leads to the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a few sighs from hell.htm

Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ...
... I conclude, and wish it as delighting To thee ... and teacheth them likewise, Shall in
God's kingdom have ... near, Till thou hast first made reconciliation, Then may ...
/.../scriptural poems being several portions.htm

The Doctrine
... "For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope
did; by the which we draw nigh unto God" (Hebrews 7:19). ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the doctrine.htm

What does the Bible say about envy? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to delight yourself in the Lord (Psalm 37:4)? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about how to love God? | GotQuestions.org

Delighting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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