God Delights in Relationship

Psalm 147:10 His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man; 11 the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.

What a creator God we have! He is so unlike ourselves.

When we create something--a machine, a work of art, a sport's team, an army, a corporation, a "10" body for fitness, any social group, a computer chip, a fast car, a powerful rocket, a new culinary dish--we mostly find our pleasure in the function performed--the specs, the accomplishments, the records broken, the utilitarian aspects.

Not so God. He who created the universe, the earth and all it contains--the planet itself in all its related physical systems, the super-fantastic, abundant diversity of animal and plant life--this God has every reason to take pleasure and delight in the physical performance, beauty, and functionality of all He has created. But He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse, nor does He delight in the legs of a man.

Where does God find His pleasure and delight? In relationships of humans with Himself--"the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love."

To "fear" God in this sense is to have a right knowledge of who God is and to put ourselves in the right context beside Him--we are very small and unworthy next to God. To fear God is to respect, love, and obey Him. God finds pleasure and delight in men who know and hope in His character, knowing that He is love itself.

God finds His pleasure and delight in relationship with man. No one who has read and understood this verse can ever say and believe, "Deos ex machina." No, God loves His creation and sent His Son to die on the cross to bring all men back into right relationship with Him. Not the strength of a horse, nor the legs of a man, but the souls of men who receive His Son--this is what God delights in.

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Father, thank You for the fantastically, gorgeously beautiful world around us! But more than this, thank You for loving us whom You created for Yourself, for Your pleasure! Help me, Lord, to bring You delight in my worship and obedience of You. In Jesus' name, Amen.


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