Today, we are studying the Lord’s delight.  We want to know what they are so that we can please him.  If you are a husband and you know that your wife delights in flowers or chocolate, for instance, you’ll be inclined to bring her some fresh flowers and some delicious chocolate from time to time.  Likewise, when you know these things in which the Lord delights, you will be sure to do them or delight in them, yourself.  The Lord delights in:

Jesus – Is 42:1 – “Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth.”  You can tell from the context that this servant is Jesus Christ, and God delights in him.  Therefore, you should delight in him and fellowship with Jesus Christ [1 Jn 1:3].  Exalt Jesus like the Lord does [Phil 2:9-11].  If you don’t know him, because you are not yet saved, then believe on him and be saved today.

Israel – Deut 10:15 – “the Lord had delight in thy fathers to love them.”  Here God is talking about Israel.  In 1 Ki 10:9 the Queen of Sheba commented that the Lord delighted to put Solomon on the throne.  God loves Israel.  Therefore, pray for Israel [Ps 122:6].  The nations of this world will finally get together against Israel to destroy them from being a nation [Ps 83].  Right before they succeed in annihilating them, Jesus will return and save Israel [Zech 14, Rom 11:25-26].

Truth – Prov 12:22 – “they that deal truly are his delight.”  Likewise, “a just weight is his delight,” [Prov 11:1].  Therefore, deal truly and “weigh” everything truly.  To do this you must believe and live by God’s words.  They are the truth [Jn 17:17].  Your word should be impeccable.  

Mercy – Mic 7:18 – “he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.”  Therefore, seek the Lord’s mercy [Heb 4:16].  He is not interested in your penance or sacrifice.  When we were in the Catholic Church and we went to confession, we had to say a few Hail Mary’s and Our Father’s to receive absolution for our sins.  Doing this made us feel good but it didn’t delight God.  He delights in mercy.

Righteousness – 2 Sam 22:20-24 – David said, “he delighted in me.  The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness.”  The Lord delights in his righteousness in his saints [Ps 16:3].  He delights in his sons and therefore he chastens us that his chastening might yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness in us [Prov 3:12; Heb 12:11].  In Jer 9:24 the Lord delights in lovingkindness, judgment and righteousness.  Therefore, yield to his righteousness and let him change your life by his righteousness in which he delights.

Obedience – 1 Sam 15:22 – When Saul disobeyed the Lord, Samuel said, “Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”  The Lord does not delight in sacrifice [Ps 51:16].  He delights in obedience.  Therefore, obey him [Prov 21:3].  Don’t keep presenting him with excuses for your disobedience.

Prayer – Prov 15:8 – “the prayer of the upright is his delight.”  So, pray.  Pray effectually.  Pray regularly.  Pray earnestly.  The Lord loves to hear from us.  

Conclusion: perhaps the Lord has revealed to you an area where you could please him more, now that you know in what the Lord delights.  Make the change and delight the Lord.