THE DELIGHTFUL WAY

Part 5

"Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors . . .
I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved."
(Psalm 119:24, 47).

Last week we looked at the people God Delights in. Today we are going to see who and what we should delight in. This means that the following will be the passion of our lives. We will . . .

1. Delight in God Himself

Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." What is the passion of your life? Is it God Himself? If this is true, it means that He has first priority over everything else. If means that He has first priority in your home. Read also Isaiah 58:13, 14.

2.Delight in God's Word

If God is our passion, His Word will be our passion, too. I love to read. I have a two piles of books beside my bed that are each three feet high--all waiting to read. I so desperately want to read them, and yet I find that my passion is even greater for God's Word and I am wooed to it first. So sadly, the pile of books just gets higher!

Psalm 1:1, 2 gives us the testimony of the blessed man or woman: "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful, But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." As a mother who delights in God's Word, we will also want our children to delight in His Word. We will not want to send them into the public education system that promotes Islam, the gay agenda, humanism, atheism, and where children daily "sit in the seat of the scornful." Instead, we will want them to be in an environment (the home is best) where they can be filled with God's Word and it becomes part of their lives day and night.

What does it mean to "meditate"? It not only means to ponder and think about, but to whisper it, and to speak it out loud! Meditating is not only using your mind and heart, but your mouth as well. We must speak out the Word we are thinking upon. It is only when we speak it out that it becomes part of us. Refer to Isaiah 59:21.

Psalm 112:1, 2 says, "Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighted greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon the earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed." When we greatly delight in God's commandments, we won't be able to keep them to ourselves. We'll constantly be sharing them. They will be overflowing from our mouth and going into the hearts of our children to mold their characters and shape their lives. Consequently, we will raise children who will be "mighty upon the earth."

The psalmist confessed in Psalm 119:16: "I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word." And again in Verse 143: "Thy commandments are my delights." (See also verses 24, 35, 47, 92, and 174).

3. Delight in God's People

Psalm 16:3 says, "O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee; but to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight." The psalmist is full of love and praise to the Lord, but He knows that the greatest way He can show this love is by showing it to God's people.

We must see fellow-believers, even those who are not on our "wave length" or "our type" as those who have Christ living in them. Because Christ lives in them and I am filled with love for Christ, I will be filled with love for them. The most tangible way I can show my love for Christ is by showing it to His people for they are His body on the earth. Although we love the sinner and reach out to them with God's love, our delight is to fellowship the saints of God. We are exhorted to do this in the following Scriptures: Matthew 25:31-46; Galatians 6:9, 10; and 1 John 3:16-18.

4. Delight in Doing God's Will

Psalm 40:8 is a prophetic Scripture of Jesus coming to this world to bring salvation: "Then said I, Lo, I come in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God, yea, thy law is within my heart." Jesus was willing to do the Father's will even though it cost Him His life; not only His life, but shedding His precious blood, and taking upon Himself the sin of the world. But no matter what suffering He delighted to do the Father's will. In Gethsemane He prayed, "Father, if thou be willing remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine be done" (Luke 22:42).

Sometimes we are willing to do the Father's will until it becomes difficult. When it really costs us pain, sacrifice, or money we decide that perhaps it's not God's will after all. This is situational ethics. May God save us from only doing His will when everything is going well, but to be obedient no matter what the cost.

5. Delight in what God delights

Jeremiah 9:23,24 says, "Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord." In what does God delight? Lovingkindness, judgment (often translated justice), and righteousness. All these attributes belong to the character of God and therefore should become part of our character as we seek to walk in His ways. God deals with us in lovingkindness (notice this is No. 1), but also in justice and righteousness. As we seek God and learn from Him, this is how we should also deal with our children. It takes time to learn, doesn't it? We must learn the balance of lovingkindness and justice.

NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

"Dear Father, I thank you that I love you because you first loved me. I also want to delight in you because you first delighted in me. I want you to be preeminent in our home. I want your Word to be lifted high and become the delight of not only my husband and myself, but of all our children too. Move in us by the power of your Holy Spirit that we will delight to read and meditate in your word. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

We are a family of Word Delighters.

THE DELIGHTFUL WAY

Part 4

"The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives"
(Psalm 37:23 NLT).

We have been discovering what it means to walk the delightful way, so different to the downward way. There's more to learn yet. We are going to discover what God delights in and what we should delight in. Let's look at the people who God delights in . . .

1. Those who obey Him

After defeating the Amalekites, Saul thought he was doing something great when he saved some of the animals to sacrifice to the Lord, but God had told him to save to nothing alive!

1 Samuel 15:12, 23 says, "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. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry." Just as we delight in our children when they obey us, so God delights in us when we obey Him.

Jesus says to us, "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you" (John 15:14).

2. Those who fear the Lord

Psalm 147:11 (NLT) tells us that "The Lord's delight is in those who fear him." The fear of the Lord is not very prevalent in our families or amongst the church today. We seem to be in a time as it was in Israel when everyone did "that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 17:6; 21:25; Proverbs 12:15; and 21:2).

1 Peter 1:17 tells us to "Pass the time of your sojourning here in fear." This is a strong word in the Greek and means "terror." It is living in a way that we would not want to do anything that would disappoint our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is the same attitude children should have to parents. Growing up I had a wonderful relationship with my father. I received some severe and needed discipline from him but always knew I deserved it. At the same time, he had great faith in me and I feared to destroy his belief in me. I didn't want to do anything to disappoint him and it was a powerful keeping power upon my life. In the same way, because I love my husband, I don't want to do anything that disappoints him and his trust in me. I don't want to bring a cloud over our relationship. Instead I want to delight him.

F. B. Meyer comments on this Scripture. "The holy soul . . . passes the time of its sojourning in fear. Not the fear of evil consequences to itself, but to the fear of grieving the Father, of bringing a shadow over His face, of missing any manifestation of His love and nearness to Himself, which may be granted to the obedient child. Love casts our fear, but it also begets it. There is nothing craven, or fretful, or depressing, but a tenderness of conscience which dreads the tiniest cloud on the inner sky, such as might overshadow for a single moment the clear shining of the Father's face."

Alexander Maclaren, a contemporary of F. B. Meyer calls this fear "A lowly consciousness of the heinousness of sin, and consequently a dread of offending the Divine holiness. He who thus fears, fears to sin more than anything else, and fears God so much that he fears nothing besides."

May God bring us to this attitude of living in the fear of God in our own personal lives and in our family lives. To all live in such a way that we bring no clouds on our "inner sky." What difference it will bring to our families and ultimately to delight to the heart of God.

3. Those who are upright

Proverbs 11:20 says, "Such as are upright in their way are his delight." The word "upright" is translated in other Scriptures as "without spot, without blemish, undefiled, perfect, whole, and complete." The New Living Translation says, "The Lord detests people with crooked hearts, but he delights in those with integrity." Proverbs 15:8 says that even "the prayer of the upright is his delight."

Proverbs 11:1 (NLT) says, "The Lord detests the use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights." God, who is constantly watching every thought an action, looks for honesty and integrity. God hates deception, but delights in truth and integrity.

Proverbs 12:22 (NLT) says, "The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth."

4. Those who have a contrite and humble spirit

Psalm 51:17 says, "The sacrifices God desires are a humble spirit - O God, a humble and repentant heart you will not reject." God makes it very clear in His Word that He hates pride and yet loves the humble and lowly. God dwells in the "high and holy place" but at the same time with those who are "of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."

We are certainly getting the picture of the life that delights the heart of God, aren't we?

Blessings from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

"Dear Father, please teach me what it means to walk in the fear of the Lord. Please help me to live a life that brings pleasure and delight to your heart. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

We are a family that walks in the fear of the Lord.

THE DELIGHTFUL WAY

Part 3

"Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart"

(Psalm 37:4).

We have been discovering from God's Word that the way we live will take us on a downward path or on a delightful path. Today we continue to find out more of the delightful way.

IT'S DIFFERING

If we are going to live a delightful life, there's no room for sitting on the fence, compromising with evil, or being tolerant. We don't belong to this world. We are only sojourners here, representing another country, a heavenly country. Of course, we're not going to hide away. We are here to influence this world and lead more and more people to come with us to our heavenly city.

But we live with a different mindset, a different worldview. Our convictions are not blurred. We know the difference between the clean and the unclean and we teach our children "the difference between the holy and profane" (Ezekiel 44:23 and 22:26). Leviticus 10:10 says, "And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean."

The word "difference" is also translated "separated and severed." Leviticus 20:26 says, "Ye shall be holy unto me: for I the Lord am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine" (Exodus 33:16; 1 Kings 8:53).

IT'S DIRECTING OUR HEARTS TO GOD        

David confessed in Psalm 5:3: "My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up." David is not talking about casually praying when he has the urge. It is an ordering of his life. The word "direct" means "to order, to arrange, and is also used in warfare of setting the battle in array."

David ordered his life to make time to pray. We have to do this personally and as a family. We have to order the course of our day to make sure we gather as a family to pray together each day, in the morning and the evening. If we don't order our day, it won't happen.

We need to make ordered times, but it should also be habitual. Rather than becoming overwhelmed with all the little and big things that happen during our day, let's direct our hearts to the Lord. This is the secret for walking a delightful life. When we dwell on the problem, it only becomes worse. When we direct our hearts to the Lord, He gives His peace and shows us what to do. Isaiah 26:3, 4 says, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord forever for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength."

IT'S DISCIPLING

No matter how far we are on the pathway, we can never stop being discipled. The word "disciple" means "to be a pupil, to learn." I want to learn more and more every day, don't you? I long to understand more of God's Word. I want to keep a soft and tender heart to the Holy Spirit so He can continue to speak to my heart and show me where I am going wrong and lead me in His paths (Matthew 11:28-30).

But it's even more than being willing to learn. Luke 14:33 says, "Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." As we have the attitude of a disciple, we in turn disciple our children. We are in full time ministry for God as we fulfill this great task. And it's an everyday/every month/ every continuing year ministry.

IT'S DWELLING

We can't walk the delightful path unless we are dwelling. This is the foundation of our faith--Christ dwells in me and I dwell in Him (John 15: 1-10 and Colossians 1:27). There is nothing more blessed than dwelling in His presence--resting in His love, feeding on HIs Word, and trusting in Him instead of our own resources. God wants to rest in our hearts and He wants us to rest in His heart (Psalm 132:14, 15; John 14:17; and Colossians 3:16).

IT'S DYING

Oh, no. Do you mean to say I have to die to live a delightful life? Yes, it's the only way. When we die to our flesh and selfish ways life is so much more enjoyable. It is never delightful living in the flesh. The old flesh stinks. It's ugly. It doesn't make us happy or anyone around us.

Paul confessed, "I die daily" (1 Corinthians 15:31). As he died to his own flesh and desires, the life of Christ flowed from his life to bring life, salvation, and healing to many. It's only when we die that Christ can live His life in us. Read these Scriptures: Romans 6:5-14; 8:36; 2 Corinthians 4:10, 11; 2 Corinthians 5:15; and 6:9.

Love from Nancy Campbell

PRAYER:

Dear Father, please lead me into the blessed state of dwelling in your presence for in your presence is fullness of joy. It is in your presence that I find my joy and peace. Thank you, Lord. Amen."

AFRIRMATION:

My mind is stayed upon the Lord, not upon the overwhelming things around me.

THE DELIGHTFUL WAY

Part 2

"For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil"
(1 John 3:8).

We continue to discuss The Delightful Way.

IT'S DEPARTING

To walk God's path we need to depart from evil. Psalm 34:12-14 tells us that if we want to love life and live a long and good life, we must "Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it." Job 28:28 says, "To depart from evil is understanding."

IT'S DESTROYING

This doesn't sound very delightful, does it? However, God's plan for Satan is destruction and this is the plan He wants us to have also. God has quite a number of "D" words He wants us to use against His enemies:

Destroy them: "Thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them . . . " (Deuteronomy 7:2 -6). Read also Deuteronomy 1: 24; 12:2, 3; 13:15; 20:16-18; 33:27; Joshua 7:12; 11:20; 1 Samuel 22:38, 41; Psalm 18:40; 101;8 and 118:1-12).

God did not only tell Joshua and the Israel soldiers to destroy the enemy, but to UTTERLY destroy them (Joshua 10:28, 35, 37, 39, 40; 11:11, 12, 14, 20, 21; Judges 1:17 and 1 Samuel 15:3; 21-24).

God did not only tell them to utterly destroy the enemy, but to leave NOT ONE REMAINING. Joshua 10:40 says, "So Joshua smote all . . . he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed ALL THAT BREATHED as the Lord commanded." This statement is recorded ten times in Joshua, chapters ten, eleven, and fourteen.

Dispossess them: "Ye shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein" Numbers 33:53. This word "dispossess" means "to drive away, to seize, to devour, and invade for the purpose of settling territory."

Discomfort them: Gideon "discomforted all the host" (Judges 8:12). The word "discomfort" means "to make the enemy shake, to be afraid, to tremble." We have no power over the enemy in our own flesh, but as we lift up the name of Jesus and the blood of the Lamb we have power to overcome him. Through the power of prayer we can make the enemy tremble. Psalm 18:14 tells us how God discomforted the enemy.

A praying mother in the home can bring fear to the enemy. In the time of Deborah, the Israelites defeated King Jabin and his captain, Sisera, who had 900 chariots of iron. Sisera fled from the Israeli soldiers but was defeated and killed by Jael, a mother in her home. Read the story in Judges, chapters four and five.

As you embrace your God-given role of raising righteous young men and women whom you are also training to be devil-destroyers, the enemy shakes. He's not afraid of women who leave their home, but as a God-anointed home-loving, home-keeping, home-working, home-advocating, child-embracing, child-training, nation-changing, Spirit-filled, and devil-defeating mother, you are a threat to the enemy. You make him quake in his boots. You are dangerous!

James 4:7 says, "Resist the devil and he will flee from you."

Drive them out: "Drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the Lord hath said unto thee" (Exodus 23:32, 32 and Deuteronomy 9:3).

Why did God want them to be so utterly ruthless with the enemy? He gives two very good reasons:

1) Because if we don't deal with sin and evil, it will come back to vex us.

Numbers 33:55 says, "But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall come to pass that those of you which you let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell."

2) Because we will be easily lured back into Satan's ways.

Psalm 106:34, 35 says, "They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the Lord commanded them: but were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works. And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them." Read also Deuteronomy 20:17, 18 and 1 Corinthians 5:6).

To live a delightful life, we must depart all evil in our own lives and utterly cast it from our homes.

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

www.aboverubies.org

PRAYER:

"Dear Father, please help me to have the same attitude toward evil that you have. Help me not to hold on to "just a little bit" but to completely eradicate from life and home. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

I am a dangerous woman to the enemy.