Sunday, April 3
I delight to do Your will
Scripture: Deuteronomy 31-32, Psalm 40, Romans 6
Psalm 40:8 I delight to do your will, my God, and your instruction is deep within me.
Romans 6:19 For just as you offered the parts of yourselves as slaves to impurity, and to greater and greater lawlessness, so now offer them as slaves to righteousness, which results in sanctification.
Observation
The psalmist prays, “I delight to do your will, my God, and your instruction is deep within me.” This verse is quoted in Hebrews 10 of Jesus as one who came to do God’s will. And of course, this is what we pray for every time we say the Lord’s Prayer: “May your kingdom come, may your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” I delight to do Your will.
The word “delight” translates a Hebrew word that means “to take pleasure or delight in; to desire, be willing, be inclined.” I want to do what God wants; it brings me pleasure.
In Romans 6, Paul calls on us to be “slaves of righteousness.” Just as we used to offer our lives as slaves of sin, now offer them to God as slaves of righteousness. How do we become slaves of righteousness or slaves of God? By delighting to do His will.
Application
Yesterday in prayer, I was thinking about some financial decisions, and I realized that I had considered what I wanted, but not what God wanted. I had not asked the Lord, “What do You want me to do?” I had delighted in my will, but not God’s. That realization changed the way I was thinking and praying, and will ultimately change my decisions.
One can do the will of God begrudgingly. Out of duty but without joy. But Jesus—and the psalmist—delighted to do the will of God.
Why delight in doing God’s will? Because God wants what is best for us. Paul points this out in his discussion on slavery to sin or righteousness. What did slavery to sin produce? Death. What does slavery to God/righteousness produce? Eternal life!
God’s will is best. Always.
Today, I want to stop and consider what God’s will is in each situation—and then delight to do what He wants. This is what it means to follow Jesus—listen and do what He wants. That’s always best.
Prayer: Lord, help me delight to do Your will…always.