0258. THE DELIGHTS OF THE LORD.
THE DELIGHTS OF THE LORD.
"Thou shalt make them drink of the river of Thy pleasures" (Psa_36:8).
Introduction.
1. Then the Lord has His pleasures and delights as well as we!
2. He has made everything that is necessary for the maintenance of life a pleasure, as, for example, eating, exercise, sleep, etc.
3. There is more in the Bible about His pleasures than some think. (In this study there is matter for several addresses.)
What are the Pleasures of the Lord?
1. He has pleasure in the beauties of creation. Rev_4:11 teaches us that all things were created for His pleasure.
2. He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Eze_18:32).
3. He has no pleasure in wickedness. "Thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness" (Psa_5:4).
4. He has pleasure in uprightness: "Thou hast pleasure in uprightness" (1Ch_29:17).
5. The Lord has no pleasure in those who break their vows (Ecc_5:4).
6. Takes pleasure in His people (Psa_147:11; Psa_149:4).
His Pleasures are Likened to a River.
1. Not a stream that can be dried up speedily.
2. His pleasures are for evermore (Psa. 16).
Who are "Them?" Those who trust in Him, and in consequence are abundantly satisfied.
I. God’s Delight in His People. "For the Lord taketh pleasure in His people" (Psa_149:4).
Lord has His Delights.
1. We all have our likes and dislikes.
2. So the Lord.
3. What He delights in is pointed out in His Word.
4. See what our text declares.
Pivot of Psalm.
1. This is the pivot of the Psalm.
2. The first three verses lead up to this.
3. This is the reason for praise.
4. Note the force of "for."
Solution.
1. This explains why He is always thinking and planning for our welfare.
2. And why He has made such tremendous sacrifices for us.
Fatherhood.
1. This is an expression of His Fatherhood.
2. Like as a Father taketh pleasure in His children, so the Lord taketh pleasure in His people.
In Whom?
1. Those who are His by surrender, as well as by creation and redemption.
2. Those who are living obedient lives (Mal_1:10).
3. He cannot take pleasure in His enemies, or those out of Christ, nor in His disobedient ones.
Present Tense. Note "taketh." Note the present tense.
II. God’s Delight in Those that Fear Him. "The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear Him" (Psa_147:11)
Nothing.
1. "I fear nothing," boastfully exclaim some.
2. It is a high sounding phrase.
3. But it only sounds loud because it is empty.
Psychologist.
1. A great psychologist has said, "Fear is essential to every soul, and is universal."
2. We all fear something or someone.
Two Kinds. There are two kinds of fear-a slavish fear and a reverent fear.
Jesus Commanded:
1. Men and women to be terrified of God.
2. Trouble is, "there is no fear of God before their eyes."
3. God does not take pleasure in those who are terrified of Him.
4. Yet it is the first step in salvation.
5. And is a proof of the work of the Spirit within.
Precious.
1. But from that slavish fear there is deliverance.
2. But if Love casts out fear it deepens reverence.
3. And such a disposition of heart is precious in the sight of God.
4. Let us prayerfully cultivate this lowly fear that gladdens the heart of the King of the Universe.
How to Cultivate this Holy Reverence.
1. Think of what He is in Character (Psa_36:5). Holiness, purity, beauty of disposition. We feel like casting ourselves in awe and crying, "Depart from me."
2. Think of what He has Done.
a. A Manufacturer who had retired was shocked to find that his sons had ruined his business. He went back to business, after spending the whole of his fortune in paying their debts.
b. The scene when he appeared for the first time on Change was amazing. All respected him.
c. Think what God has done to liquidate our debts.
3. Think of what He is Doing in Nature (Psa_36:4; Psa_36:8).
a. When astronomers calculate the distance of the stars, and remember that God upholds them every one, they are overpowered with awe.
b. They feel like the saints who stand on the sea of glass and sing in rapturous reverence: "Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy Name, for Thou only art holy?" (Rev_15:4).
4. Think of what He is Doing in Grace (Psa_36:2-3).
III. God’s Delight in Hopefulness. "The Lord taketh pleasure in those that hope in His mercy" (Psa_147:11).
1. In our last study we saw that the Lord takes delight in the reverent.
2. In this study we see He takes pleasure in the hopeful.
Understand.
1. We can quite understand that, for we do, too!
2. We like the company of the hopeful.
3. We shun the company of the pessimists.
Cultivate. We ought to cultivate the spirit of hopefulness.
Negative.
1. This does not mean that He takes pleasure in those who vaguely hope that it will be all right in the end.
2. In those who say, "God is good; He won’t condemn me to everlasting punishment." These are presumptuous.
Positive.
1. In those who have a God-given assurance concerning future bliss.
2. In those who, when Providence seems to frown upon them, "wait with hopefulness and trustfulness for the revelation of His loving kindness."
3. In those who dare to believe that, behind a frowning Providence, He hides a smiling face.
4. And who trust through dark and trying times.
Naturally.
1. Some are naturally of a hopeful disposition.
2. But mere natural hopefulness won’t stand the test of time.
3. We need spiritual hope.
Cultivation.
1. We cannot cultivate what we haven’t got.
2. "Without God and without hope" is the condition of the unsaved.
3. With God, with hope, is the condition of the saved.
How to Secure.
1. The way to get hope is to secure faith.
2. The three graces are always found in company.
3. What you possess you can cultivate.
IV. God Delights in Uprightness. "Thou. . . hast pleasure in uprightness" (1Ch_29:17). "Such as are upright. . . are His delight" (Pro_11:20).
1. Occasion. David was an old man. He had made generous provision for building of Temple. His example had fired his subjects. And now he offers up this dedicatory prayer.
2. His Holy Boast. He declared what the Lord delighted in. And made this holy claim.
3. Solomon must have heard this, for he treasured and repeated it.
4. A Great Need.
a. Is there not a need for the upright?
b. For those who will be upright in heart, mind, conduct?
c. Good to be upright in body and walk, but better in soul and conduct.
d. Not only upright to man, but upright to God. Ah! that is the lack, the test!
5. His Pleasure. God takes pleasure in such. And you can quite understand it.
6. Facts.
a. "God made man upright" (Ecc_7:29).
b. He yet desires man to be (Gen_17:1, margin).
c. We cannot deceive God, as David deceived Achish, King of Gath. "Thou hast been upright" (1Sa_29:6).
7. How to Be.
a. Full Salvation. Lev_26:13. Not only deliverance from death by Blood, but snapping of the bonds-leading out into liberty.
b. The Lord’s Keeping. Psa_19:13. Keep me from sinning. Don’t let them have dominion over me.
V. God Delights in Our Prayers. "The prayer of the upright is His delight" (Pro_15:8).
Suitable. We have a most suitable word here in this verse. A word most appropriate for meditation.
Not Only Acceptable. Mark you, not only acceptable to the Lord, but His delight!
What a Contrast! The great sacrifices of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord. Because the motives are wrong. But the feeblest cry of His own are His delight.
Upright. Of course "upright" is Solomon’s name for God’s people. It is a name declaring what God expects us to be.
Father. This is just what you might expect from a Father.
Source of Strength. This verse has been a source of strength to many. How poor our prayers often are. "The Lord of lords compassionately listens to our feeble cry and delights in it."
Remember. Your feeble prayers bring delight to Him. And joy to your soul.
How to be Upright.
1. Freedom. Lev_26:13.
2. Kept. Psa_19:13.
VI. God’s Delight in Integrity. "A just weight is His delight" (Pro_11:1).
Not Overlook.
1. In our study of the Delights of the Lord there is one in Proverbs we must not overlook or pass by.
2. Even though it may appear to apply to so-called secular matters.
3. It is an echo of Deu_25:13-16.
Solemn.
1. It is a solemn thought that nothing escapes the eye of God.
2. He marks all the common dealings of life.
3. He takes notice of our buying and selling.
Reverses.
1. This reverses the judgment of men.
2. The world commends the sharp and shrewd fellows who are able to defraud without being found out (Luk_16:1-8.
3. Yet God not only forbids but abominates.
4. And Mark you, He notices with delight those whom the world passes by, the honest and the just.
Need.
1. This exhortation is greatly needed to-day by saints and sinners.
2. It was needed in Corinthian Church (1Co_6:8).
Over-Weight.
1. This forbids short-weight. Injustice to buyer.
2. And forbids over-weight. Injustice to seller.
No Short-Weight to God.
1. We should render full measure of devotion and of service to the Lord.
2. We must receive His full weight of blessings before we can give full weight of devotion. What About God?
1. Are you giving just weight to Him?
2. Many are anxious about justice to their fellows, but have never a thought about God.
3. Are you giving full measure of love and devotion to Him?
4. "Love so amazing, so Divine, demands my life, my soul, my all."
5. You need never fear of giving over-weight to Him. How? We must receive full weight of blessings from Him before we can give full weight of service and devotion.
VII. The Lord’s Delight in Our Prosperity. "The Lord. . . hath pleasure in the prosperity of His servant" (Psa_35:27).
Caricature.
1. What caricatures there are of God.
2. God delighting in afflicting His servants? Away with that thought.
3. God delighting in sending disaster? Horrible!
4. No, He delights in the prosperity of His servants.
Strange Psalm.
1. This is one of those strange Psalms that are a puzzle to many.
2. It is one of judgment-a Psalm of terror!
3. David had enemies who planned and wished his ruin.
4. Called the Lord to his relief (Psa_36:1).
5. Then prays that those who favoured him might be exuberantly joyous.
6. And that they might bless God Who desires prosperity to His servants.
What Kind of Prosperity?
1. What kind of prosperity does He delight in?
2. Prosperity in earthly things when in conjunction with prosperity in Heavenly things.
3. God’s ideal is found in 3Jn_1:2.
Fatherhood.
1. This is only what you might expect!
2. He is Father! With a Father-heart.
Conditions for Prosperity.
1. Ungodly may prosper without these conditions being fulfilled.
2. But it is not the twofold prosperity.
a. Confession of Sin to God. "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper" (Pro_28:13).
b. The Lord’s Presence. "The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man" (Gen_39:2).
c. Putting the Word of God in its Rightful Place (Jos_1:8; Psa_1:3).
d. Seeking the Lord (2Ch_26:5).
VIII. God’s Delight in the Truthful. "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but they that deal truly are His delight" (Pro_12:22).
Children.
1. We have here a delight of the Lord we usually think only suitable for children.
2. True, children need such an exhortation, but so do adults.
To-day.
1. No sin so common to-day than the sin of lying.
2. There is a lying spirit abroad.
3. Paul points out this as characteristic of this age.
4. The crowning sin of the age ends in a belief of the lie.
Easy.
1. Nothing so easy as this.
2. It comes natural to us. Many mothers have wondered who had taught their little ones to lie. Psa_58:3 shows it: "They go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies."
3. Even Christians need this exhortation: "Lie not one to another" comes in Col_3:9, after marvellous teaching.
Why He Abominates. He has a special abhorrence of this sin.
1. Because His great enemy fathers them.
a. Satan is distinguished by his title of liar (Joh_8:44).
b. Jesus called him the "father of lies" who abode not in the truth.
c. The wilful liar proves his parentage.
2. It is the exact opposite to His nature (Num_23:19; Tit_1:2). He is God of Truth.
3. Society depends upon Truth. Society cannot hold together without truth, and the confidence of man in man.
4. No liars in Heaven (Rev_21:8, Rev_21:27; Rev_22:15). His Desire. God wants to be able to say as in Isa_63:8 : "Surely they are My people, children that will not lie."
His Delight.
1. He delights in "they that deal truly."
2. Dealing truthfully in speech.
Something More.
1. With the New Testament in mind, something more is required.
2. On 31st May, Wesley says that he "grieved the Spirit of God not only by not watching unto prayer, but likewise by speaking with sharpness instead of tender love of one who was not sound in the faith. Immediately God hid His face, and I was troubled and in heaviness until the next morning."
Cure.
1. Take Christ as Saviour, Master, and Ruler.
2. Let His Presence, Who is Truth, keep from all untruth.
3. Daily pray: "Set a watch."
Autor: James Smith