Delight In Him

¹⁶ In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
“Do not fear;
Zion, let not your hands be weak.
¹⁷ The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Zephaniah 3:16-17

I think this verse paints such a poignant picture of God’s tender love. He will rejoice over you. Quiet you with His love. Rejoice over you with singing.

Children of the one true God, He not only loves you – He delights in you. He loves you not because you’re perfect or you have it all together. Let’s be honest: none of us are perfect or have it all together … and we never will, until we reach heaven! He loves us because we’re His. He redeemed us. He justified us. He adopted us. He made us heirs with Christ. He wants us.

¹⁵ For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” ¹⁶ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷ and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

Romans 8:15-17

¹⁰ In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. ¹¹ Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. ¹² He says,

“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters;
    in the assembly I will sing your praises.”

¹³ And again,

“I will put my trust in him.”

And again he says,

“Here am I, and the children God has given me.”

Hebrews 2:10-13

 

That is such a hard concept to grasp. But whenever I get a glimpse of it, the love I feel is incredible. Unlike anything else I’ve experienced before. No one has ever loved me perfectly on this earth – and no one ever will. But God’s love for me is perfect. And when I can feel some of the depth of His amazing love, I am awed and overwhelmed. I am safe. I am whole. I am His.

My prayer life has deepened over the past couple months, and I think this has helped me to feel God’s love on a more consistent basis. Because I’m spending more time with Him – seeking Him from my heart. Desiring to be closer to Him. And let me tell you, friends, I wouldn’t trade those sweet moments with Jesus Christ for anything.

⁸ Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us.

Psalm 62:8

³⁸ Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. ³⁹ And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”

⁴¹ And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. ⁴² But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:38-42

It is an awesome thing to dwell in Jesus’ presence. It’s an incredible thing when we realize how God loves us. When we know we are loved, then we can love. We can love the Lord with all our heart, strength, and mind. We can love others the way God calls us to.

We can serve God with passion and abandon. Fears fade. Insecurities dwindle. Hope blossoms. Joy takes root. Peace envelopes. We can live. Finally. Fully. Abundantly. Ah, what a precious thing!

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 10:10

As I am finding this close relationship with Jesus Christ, I’ve come to a place where I don’t want anything to hinder that. I want everything in life to enhance my relationship with Him. I want every other relationship in my life to build on the one with Jesus – my first love. Never replace my relationship with Him. He is my one and only forever.

As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So pants my soul for You, O God.
² My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?

Psalm 42:1-2

Have I always felt this way? No. It’s actually only been the past couple years that I’ve been truly coming to this sort of turning point in my walk of faith. Do I still struggle? Absolutely. I have fears and doubts. I question and cry again and again. But what do I come back to? God’s love for me. His faithful and true love.

²⁶ My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:26

Ah, Lord, what have I done to deserve Your love?

I have messed up so many times. Gone many steps back instead of forward so many times. I’ve given into fear more times than I ever care to count. I’ve doubted Him. Questioned Him. Asked Him again and again and again, “Do you love me, Lord? Do you really see me down here?”

But He has never given up on me. In my hardest, weakest moments, I believe He has cradled me in His arms. I am so unworthy. But so loved. And sometimes my soul overflows with passion and love when this knowledge truly hits me.

³⁷ Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:37-39

This little video below I have watched many times. Mostly during times when I was in a very fearful and vulnerable place. And every time, when I see His hands holding the little lamb safely out of reach from the wolves, sobs bubble up in my throat. And when I see the guy running passionately toward Jesus Christ – straight into God’s loving arms – the tears overflow. My heart cries, every time, “I want that!”

Oh, I wanted to feel that love. That safety in Jesus’ arms. That knowledge that no matter what, I can trust that He has me. That love and passion for the Father God who gave His all for me. I wanted His love to fill me up and burst out in passion for Him!

“Hallelujah, all I have is Christ! Hallelujah, Jesus is my life!”

Praise the Lord, He has been bringing me to that place. Showing me His love. Sanctifying me. Growing me closer to Him. And I have never felt more loved.

¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his love for those who fear him;
¹² as far as the east is from the west,
    so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

¹³ As a father has compassion on his children,
    so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

Psalm 103:11-13

Friends, we don’t always feel that love. We don’t always feel spiritual. We aren’t always able to banish the fear and questions.

But God is faithful and true through it all. Run to Him! Cling to Him. Spend time with Him. Read His words and pour out your heart to Him. Let Him change you and grow you and put His love deep in your heart. Only then will you know Him.

²⁸ But it is good for me to draw near to God;
I have put my trust in the Lord GOD,
That I may declare all Your works.

Psalm 73:28

He loves you!

To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
² O my God, I trust in You;
Let me not be ashamed;
Let not my enemies triumph over me.
³ Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed;
Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause.

⁴ Show me Your ways, O Lord;
Teach me Your paths.
⁵ Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day.

⁶ Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses,
For they are from of old.
⁷ Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions;
According to Your mercy remember me,
For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord.

Psalm 25:1-7

Advertisement