“Delight yourself in the Lord.” Psalm 37:4

The teaching of these words must seem surprising to those who have never known real godliness, but to the sincere believer they only restate a recognized and profound truth. The life of the believer is described as a “delight” in God, and therefore true religion will always overflow with happiness and joy. Anyone who doesn’t actively cultivate a relationship with God, including secular scholars who study religion as merely an intellectual pursuit or as a social curiosity, never look upon religion as a joyful thing; to them it is service, duty, or necessity, but never pleasure or delight. If they are personally involved in religion at all, it is either for personal gain or for cultural reasons only.

The thought of delight in religion is so strange to most people. No two words in their language stand further apart than “holiness” and “delight.” But believers who know Christ understand that delight and faith are so blessedly united, that the gates of hell cannot prevail to separate them. They who love God with all their hearts find that His ways are ways of joy, and all His paths are peace. Such joys, such overwhelming delights, such overflowing blessednesses, they can continurally discover in the Lord. Instead of merely serving Him out of habit, they follow Him even if all the world were to curse His holy name.

We do not revere God because of any compulsion. Our faith is no chain, and our confession of faith is no enslavement. We are not dragged to holiness, nor driven to duty. No, our piety is our pleasure, our hope is our happiness, our duty is our delight.

Delight and true religion are as united as root and flower; as indivisible as truth and certainty. They are, in fact, two precious jewels glittering side by side in a setting of gold.

“‘Tis when we taste Thy love, Our joys divinely grow, Unspeakable like those above, And heaven begins below.”

Question: What brings you delight, and in what ways does/should the Lord bring you delight?

“Delight yourself in the Lord.” Psalm 37:4

The teaching of these words must seem surprising to those who have never known real godliness, but to the sincere believer they only restate a recognized and profound truth. The life of the believer is described as a “delight” in God, and therefore true religion will always overflow with happiness and joy. Anyone who doesn’t actively cultivate a relationship with God, including secular scholars who study religion as merely an intellectual pursuit or as a social curiosity, never look upon religion as a joyful thing; to them it is service, duty, or necessity, but never pleasure or delight. If they are personally involved in religion at all, it is either for personal gain or for cultural reasons only.

The thought of delight in religion is so strange to most people. No two words in their language stand further apart than “holiness” and “delight.” But believers who know Christ understand that delight and faith are so blessedly united, that the gates of hell cannot prevail to separate them. They who love God with all their hearts find that His ways are ways of joy, and all His paths are peace. Such joys, such overwhelming delights, such overflowing blessednesses, they can continurally discover in the Lord. Instead of merely serving Him out of habit, they follow Him even if all the world were to curse His holy name.

We do not revere God because of any compulsion. Our faith is no chain, and our confession of faith is no enslavement. We are not dragged to holiness, nor driven to duty. No, our piety is our pleasure, our hope is our happiness, our duty is our delight.

Delight and true religion are as united as root and flower; as indivisible as truth and certainty. They are, in fact, two precious jewels glittering side by side in a setting of gold.

“‘Tis when we taste Thy love, Our joys divinely grow, Unspeakable like those above, And heaven begins below.”

Question: What brings you delight, and in what ways does/should the Lord bring you delight?

Originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon, published in “Mornings & Evenings,” entry for April 27th, AM.

Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2008.

“To him be the glory forever! Amen.” Romans 11:36

“To him be the glory forever!” This should be the single desire of all Christians. All other wishes must be come second to this one. The Christian may wish for prosperity in their business, but only insofar as it may help us to promote this–”To him be the glory forever!” We may desire to attain more gifts and more graces, but it should only be that “To him be the glory forever!”

You are not acting as you ought to do when you are moved by any other motive than to give glory to your Lord. As a Christian, if you are “of God, and through God,” then live “to God.” Let nothing ever set your heart beating so mightily as love to Him. Let this ambition fire your soul; let it become the foundation of everything you do, and become your sustaining motive whenever your passion grows cold. Make God your only goal. When I depend on myself, sorrow begins; but my joy will be complete when God becomes my supreme delight. Let your desire for God’s glory be a growing desire. If you blessed Him in your youth, do not be content with the kind of praises you gave Him then.

Has God prospered your business? Give Him more as He has given you more.

Has God given you experience? Praise Him by stronger faith than you exercised at first.

Does your knowledge grow? Then sing more sweetly.

Do you enjoy happier times than you once had? Have you been healed from sickness, and has your sorrow been turned into peace and joy? Then give Him more music; increase the thankful fervor of your praise. Practically in your life give Him honor. The “Amen” to your praise to your great and gracious Lord will then increasingly become your own individual service and increasing holiness.

Question: Why is it sometimes tempting to take the praise and glory for ourselves instead of giving it to God?

About this Author: Charles Spurgeon

“Delight yourself in the Lord.” Psalm 37:4

The teaching of these words must seem surprising to those who have never known real godliness, but to the sincere believer they only restate a recognized and profound truth. The life of the believer is described as a “delight” in God, and therefore true religion will always overflow with happiness and joy. Anyone who doesn’t actively cultivate a relationship with God, including secular scholars who study religion as merely an intellectual pursuit or as a social curiosity, never look upon religion as a joyful thing; to them it is service, duty, or necessity, but never pleasure or delight. If they are personally involved in religion at all, it is either for personal gain or for cultural reasons only.

The thought of delight in religion is so strange to most people. No two words in their language stand further apart than “holiness” and “delight.” But believers who know Christ understand that delight and faith are so blessedly united, that the gates of hell cannot prevail to separate them. They who love God with all their hearts find that His ways are ways of joy, and all His paths are peace. Such joys, such overwhelming delights, such overflowing blessednesses, they can continurally discover in the Lord. Instead of merely serving Him out of habit, they follow Him even if all the world were to curse His holy name.

We do not revere God because of any compulsion. Our faith is no chain, and our confession of faith is no enslavement. We are not dragged to holiness, nor driven to duty. No, our piety is our pleasure, our hope is our happiness, our duty is our delight.

Delight and true religion are as united as root and flower; as indivisible as truth and certainty. They are, in fact, two precious jewels glittering side by side in a setting of gold.

“‘Tis when we taste Thy love, Our joys divinely grow, Unspeakable like those above, And heaven begins below.”

Question: What brings you delight, and in what ways does/should the Lord bring you delight?

About this Author: Charles Spurgeon

Join us for our Daily Devotional Chat today in our Women’s Chatroom at 10:30 am EDT.

“It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night” (Psalm 92:1-2 NIV).

“Do you want to join a Moms prayer group?” a friend asked many years ago. “We pray for our children and their schools.” I hesitated. Praying aloud made me feel uncomfortable. But my teenagers needed prayer, so I joined the group.

At the first meeting, I learned the prayer format they used which includes praise, silent confession, thanksgiving, and intercession. I knew how to confess my sins, give thanks for answered prayers, and bring my long list of requests (that’s why I came). But praising God was new to me.

As I heard other moms pray, I discovered that praising God meant focusing on Him and His attributes. It meant exalting God for who He is, not simply for what He does. In time, I learned how to praise God by praying Scripture back to Him, extolling Him from His Word.

Psalm 92:2 reveals two of God’s characteristics: love and faithfulness. We can praise Him by praying, “Lord, I praise You for Your love and faithfulness,” then add specific ways we’ve seen these attributes demonstrated in our lives. And as this verse suggests, we can proclaim His love in the morning and His faithfulness at night.

Another way to praise God is through music and singing (vv. 1, 3-4). Why not choose a favorite hymn or chorus to praise God with or include worship music in your personal devotions?

I’m glad I stepped outside my comfort zone and joined a prayer group. Learning to praise God has changed my prayer life and my relationship with Him. Although initially I attended the prayer group to intercede for my children, now, years later, my favorite part of our prayer time is praising God. Truly, “it is good to praise the Lord.”

I praise You, O Most High, for Your love and faithfulness. Thank You for the joy and peace that come from praising You. Fill my heart anew with praise and longing for You.

Questions: Why is praising God such an important part of our prayers? What are some ways that you praise the Lord?

About the Author Lydia E. Harris

Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, I Was Chosen!, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog