Devotion for August 5, 2008

Delight the Lord

“The sacrifice of the wicked [is] an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright [is] His delight.” (Proverbs 15:8 NKJV)

Nothing the wicked man does is pleasing to the Lord. All his acts are an abomination. Without Christ man is a worthless and vile creature. As a selfish miser, all day long he makes wicked plans to satisfy his own lusts. Try as he may with ritual church attendance, sacramental-obedience, or brutal asceticism he will never be able to delight the Lord.

This is not so of you child of God. The Lord delights in your every act of faith. Your sacrifices are a sweet smelling aroma to the Lord (Eph. 5:2). Your prayers are particularly sweet to the Lord because of what they show God.

Prayer demonstrates a dependence on the Lord. If you remember, God made sure His people knew whom it was that they depended upon. In the garden He made a covering for Adam and Eve. In Land Canaan, He fought for the people in miraculous ways. In Egypt He sent Moses with more miracles to set the people free. Jesus did many more miracles, and finally showed us how to depend on the Father by laying down His life. Prayer says, “Lord I trust you for every situation.”

Do you trust the Lord? Many say they do, but few pray consistently according to confessions I have heard. Prayer seems to be difficult for most people, and this is why I believe it delights the Lord. Everything in our humanity pulls us away from prayer.

We reason we are too busy. We cannot concentrate because our thoughts are consumed with the world. We cannot see God, and He answers in His time which is often too slow for us. I could go on but you see the point.

Therefore, when we do take the time and effort to push all the worldly distractions away, He knows we have come seeking Him with a whole heart. This is what Christ died for: to glorify Himself and reestablish fellowship with His creation. Surely you desire fellowship today.

My dear friends please take time to delight the Lord today. He will not despise your prayers. All those things that are troubling you can be taken to Him. He can do something with them. You know He says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV). Do you desire peace today, then take some time and delight the Lord!