The Lord takes pleasure in His people

by: carole l. haines

Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, And His praise in the congregation of the godly ones. ² Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the sons of Zion rejoice in their King. ³ Let them praise His name with dancing; let them sing praises to Him with timbrel and lyre. ⁴ For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation. ⁵ Let the godly ones exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds. ⁶ Let the high praises of God be in their mouth…(Psalm 149:1-6a NASB)

I was led to pray for my loved ones who are not walking with Jesus at this time, by reading this Psalm of praise.  I pictured them being glad in their Maker, rejoicing in the King they don’t acknowledge yet.  I pictured them dancing and singing praises to Him with instruments and music.  It gave me such a sense of peace to see this as I prayed for them this morning. I love that this Psalm reveals to us the Heart of God toward His people as well. The Lord takes pleasure in His people. The original Hebrew reveals that this means God accepts us favorably, He is pleased with us and is moved to be favorable to us.  He delights in us, takes pleasure in us, approves of us.  How wonderful to know that we bring pleasure to God.  I sure don’t feel like I bring pleasure to God often, but the Word of God says I do, and The Word of God is always true.  Soak that in a minute, all of you who are too hard on yourself.  God delights in you, He is moved to be favorable towards you.  Remember the promise from Philippians 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. As Paul encourages us here, be confident is this very thing; God has begun a good work in you and in me, and in our loved ones who are far from Him, and He will be faithful to perfect it. Are you feeling overwhelmed by a particular weakness in your life today? I know I was this morning, and I opened up the Word of God.  My eyes fell on the words, “The Lord takes pleasure in His people.”  He does, He always will.  Bring that weakness, that signature sin, that failure, that place of woundedness, to Him this day.  Bring those people you love who are not walking with Him yet, or have slipped away.  Bring those things you cannot change, those burdens you cannot carry.  He will give you His favor, and carry them for you.  He will perfect His work in you. Note that Philippians says until the day of Christ Jesus, so give God time to work.  Yield to Him, sink into Him deeply.  Listen to Him as He whispers hope to you and I.  Trust Him to whisper to your loved ones, He will find a way. Be silent, pray, wait, and trust.