He Takes Delight in His People

 Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.

 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.

 For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.

 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.

~ Psalm 149:1-5

For the Lord taketh pleasure in His people. The NIV says "For the Lord takes delight in His people." This should make us dance with joy and sing His praises. Although this was written to the Jews it applies to us as Christians as well, for we have been adopted into His family, and are His children.

What a blessing!

Morning Musing Over Coffee - Knowing His Word



credit: Michelle Meiklejohn

 

 

The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. ~ Psalm 19:7-8

 

 

 What does God's word - according to Psalm 19:7-8 - accomplish in our lives? This was the question in our Sunday School lesson yesterday.

 

I had never really noticed these verses before but there is a lot packed into them. There are four statements here.

 

1. The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.

 

Psalm 1 describes the person who meditates on God's word as being like a tree planted by a river of water, receiving constant refreshment. There is nothing else so vital to the human soul as the refreshment that comes from God alone, through His Word. It is the perfect refreshment.

 

2. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

 

We never have to wonder if the counsel found in God's Word can be relied on. It is faultless and trustworthy. It will never lead us down the wrong path. As long as we're following the instructions and counsel found in His Word we don't have to worry whether we are wise. His statutes make even the simple wise.

 

3. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.

 

This joy that comes from following the precepts of God, is a deep abiding joy that transcends what is going on around us at any given moment. This a joy that comes from knowing we are His child and we are in His care. No matter what else happens, He is with us and we can trust Him and His Word.

 

4. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

 

I think is my favorite statement in these two verses. Psalm 119:105 says "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." It is so much easier to walk when we have light to see where we're going. God's word provides that light, showing us where the path is clear and safe, and where there are stumbling blocks and pitfalls to avoid.

 

Not only does His word help us to see the path we are to follow, but it also gives us an inner light that shines to help others see the way as well.

 

 But unless we take the time to know His Word it won't do us one bit of good. If we are not reading and meditating on the life giving Word He has given us, we cannot expect to see these things in our lives that these two verses describe. Knowing God's Word is so vital to our daily wellbeing and our walk with Him.

 

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