The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy.

Palm 147:11

Wait, God likes when we fear Him? That can’t be right.

First, let’s take a moment to meditate on how the Lord could delight in you in a similar way that you might delight in Him.

Does that change you and bring perspective to your daily walk? Thinking about the fact that I bring joy to God fills my heart with joy, and I stand humbled. How amazing, unfathomable that the God of the universe takes pleasure in me!

Back to that scary thought: fearing God. As we read about the fear of God, it can be easy to get stuck on the word “fear,” but the fear of God is not the same as the fear of man. To fear God just means to respect, revere, and honor Him. When we fear God, we recognize He is God and we are not. 

God’s delight in us doesn’t just come when we fear Him, we need to have an expectation of His love for us. Psalm 147 says “the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.”

I hope that you can put your hope in His hands, knowing that He loves you no matter what.

PRAYER:
Father, open my heart to understand what it means to delight in you and for you to delight and take pleasure in us – your creation. Thank you for giving us even the smallest understanding of your own good pleasure and love. May we grow in your image, being in awe of you each day, and coming to a clearer understanding of what it means to be set apart and loved by you.