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.

THE DELIGHTFUL WAY

Part 1

"You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate.
The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.
But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it"
(Matthew 7:13, 14 NLT).

Instead of leading downward, the delightful way leads upward. It's not the easiest way, but it leads to life and joy. Are you willing to walk this road? Come with me and let's find some of the principles we need to follow as walk this way. Once again, we'll keep to the D words.

IT'S DECLARING

We cannot effectively walk this road without declaring the works of God. We are not saved if we do not confess (Romans 10:9, 10). This is how we begin our Christian life and this how we continue it. We keep on confessing that Jesus Christ is our Savior. We daily confess the truths in His Word. We declare the works of the Lord. The Bible is full of such Scriptures. Here are a few to encourage you:

Psalm 40:9-11: "I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest. I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation."

Psalm 66:16, "I will declare what he hath done for my soul."

Psalm 96:10, "Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth." We do not keep our testimony only amongst believers. We must tell the world. We tell the agnostics, the atheists, and the humanists that our God reigns and is the only Savior of the world.

Psalm 145:4-7, 11, 12: "One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. I will speak of the glorious honor of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works. And shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness. They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness . . .They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; to make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom."

2 Corinthians 4:13: "I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak." Do you? How can we say we believe if we are not prepared to speak out our belief?

Hebrews 13: 6: "So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."

Read also Psalm 71: 17; 107:21, 22; 119:13; Acts 20:27; 1 Corinthians 15:1; Hebrews 11:14; and 1 John 1:5.

IT'S DECREASING

John the Baptist said of Jesus, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30). This should also be our testimony. Less and less of me and more and more of Jesus. This is a big thing for the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, because each one of us are inherently selfish. In our natural flesh we would like everything to revolve around us. Our flesh is self-serving and self-centered. We are only changed as we allow the Holy Spirit freedom to work in our hearts to conform us to His image. What is His image? He is the One who was prepared to leave the glory of Heaven and to become a man, to humble himself, and lose His reputation. And He wants us to have the same attitude (Philippians 2:5-8).

IT'S DEDICATING

King Solomon built a house for God to dwell (2 Chronicles 2:4). God no longer dwells in a temple but wants to dwell in our bodies instead. 1 Corinthians 6:19 and 2 Corinthians 6:16 tell us that our bodies have now become the Holy of Holies for the dwelling place of God. Have you dedicated your temple to God to be set apart totally for Him? Anything less is not fit for the narrow road.

We can never be reminded enough of Romans 12:2 can we? "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."

IT'S DELIGHTING

Jesus Christ, the Son of God delighted to do the Father's will even though it took him to the cruel cross to pour out His blood for our sins. He declares in Psalm 40:8, "I delight to do thy will, O my God, yea, thy law is within my heart." We also should have the same attitude to do our Father's will--not duty, but delight (Philippians 2:5-8). God's will for you, dear mother, is to embrace the role He has given you as a mother and to delight in nurturing and raising your children in your home. Don't let the enemy deceive you to think of it as a drudgery. Embrace it as a delight.

IT'S DELIVERING

We must constantly pray for ourselves, and for each one of our children, that we will be daily delivered from evil and from being lured into this world system.

Jesus told us to pray: "Deliver us from evil" (Matthew 6:12).

Galatians 1:3, 4: "Our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins, that he mighty deliver us from this present evil world."

Paul knew that his death was imminent when he wrote these words from prison: "And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen" (2 Timothy 4:18).

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

PRAYER:

"I thank you, dear Father, for leading me to the narrow road. Please help me to walk a straight line on this road, never swerving to the right or the left. Help me to walk with joy and delight knowing that this road leads to life and immortality. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

I've left the broad way that leads to destruction;

I'm on the narrow way that leads to life.