The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"The Prayer of the Upright"
"What a wonder, and what a reason for being, that is, to bring delight to One who loves the fellowship of human hearts."
Through the years, we have frequently considered together a wondrous affirmation by Solomon regarding God's pleasure in relationship and fellowship with human beings.
"The prayer of the upright is His delight" (Proverbs 15:8).
That God does not merely hear the prayers of those He has lifted out of the bondage of sin, but rather finds joy in our communion with Him, must lead us to our knees and faces in the marvel of grace. Having read Solomon's words on hundreds of occasions, and having thought of them far more, I never fail to be completely amazed by such an emotional sensibility in God made possible and actual by the Lord Jesus Christ.
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (Romans 5:1-2).
Why are our prayers "His delight?" We will consider a number of Scriptural answers over the next few days, beginning with the character and nature of God Himself.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1).
God the Son - the Word - who so perfectly and beautifully reflects God the Father, as led by God the Holy Spirit, bears witness to the relational being of our triune Creator. God exists as a relationship. From everlasting, the three Persons of the godhead have related to one another in a devoted and affectionate love that "passeth knowledge" (Ephesians 3:19). God constitutes the very essence of communication, and the giver of all communication capacity that exists in angels, human beings, and other creatures. The Lord Jesus upholds all things "by the word of His power," and as "the Word," makes possible expressed relationship among created entities (Hebrews 1:3).
For those originally created "in His own image," this means that communication will be primary in human existence (Genesis 1:27). Such fellowship begins not with fellow human beings, but with God Himself. From the womb to the tomb, the voice of our Creator sounds around us and within us, calling us to living fellowship with Himself. "He doth send out His voice, and that, a mighty voice" (Psalm 68:33). For those who respond through faith in the Lord Jesus, God births a "newness of spirit" that makes possible the very reason for existence, namely, living and loving communion with Himself (Romans 7:6). We were made for this, and redeemed by grace for this by "the Word." Can it be, therefore, than anything else compares with this reason for our being, namely, to honor, trust, and obey God by walking with Him? And, in terms of our present consideration, to delight Him by our communication with Him? "Enoch walked with God… he had this testimony, that he pleased God" (Genesis 5:22; Hebrews 11:5).
The God who rejoices in the triune fellowship of His own being and existence rejoices in the multitudinous fellowship with those who hear and respond to His redeeming voice that sounds by His Spirit, His Word, His church, and His creation. When we pray with humble, trusting, and devoted hearts that accord with God and His truth, something happens beyond praises, thanksgivings, requests, and answers. We literally bring something to our Father's heart that could not be found therein apart from our prayers. We bring delight.
Many years ago, our grandson Jackson, 4 years old at the time (now 17), approached me just before leaving after a weekend stay in our home. He held out his hand, which contained a quarter. "Granddaddy, I want you to have this." As I took the quarter, I realized a moment blessed me I would never forget." I knew exactly why the Lord had led a sweet child to offer such a sweet gift, a gift of delight. Yes, I knew then and I know now that when we bring to the Lord our prayers that seem so simple to us, He receives them as sublime to His heart. I still have Jackson's quarter, of course, the mere thought of which brings me delight. As do our offerings being joy to the heart of the One who is our joy. What a wonder, and what a reason for being, that is, to bring delight to One who loves the fellowship of human hearts. Let us in this moment turn our hearts toward Him with prayers He counts as more dear to Him than we will ever know… "Father, I want You to have this."
"The Lord taketh pleasure in His people."
(Psalm 149:4)
Tomorrow: Sorrow and Delight
Weekly Memory Verse
Know ye that the LORD He is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
(Psalm 100:3)
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