The Alpha of Delight

UV 2988/10000 The Alpha of Delight
The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
Psalm 147 v 11

We are created not for our own pleasure as most of us naturally think and behave but for the pleasure or delight of the Lord, the Creator of the universe and the Giver of life and all good and perfect gifts in the natural and the supernatural. The key to finding our own pleasure or happiness does not lie in pursuit of our own happiness but in the pursuit of what pleases or delights the Lord. Instead of playing hide and seek with God like Adam and Eve did first and all mankind thereafter, the secret of human happiness lies in hiding in the Lord and seeking our pleasure in whatever pleases Him. This is the Alpha or root of happiness.
The Lord does not delight in either the possession of power or its exhibition but in people who fear Him and trust in His merciful nature. He delights in people who love His Son Jesus. He delights in people who delight in His Word, His commandments, precepts, examples and promises. He does not take pleasure in the strength of horses or of muscular men but in the humble and God fearing. He takes pleasure in the lives of those who lead their lives with a heart of integrity. He takes pleasure in those who value wisdom over knowledge, goodness over power, truth over falsehood, justice over oppression, mercy over truth and His will over our own wills.
The Lord delights in the extent our faith manifests in the shape of love and the fruit of the spirit or character of God in us. The more He finds pleasure in us, the more blessed and rewarded we are for we flourish in His grace. He delights in the prosperity or Shalom of His people as parents delight in the well being of their children. He delights in us when we give top priority to the Lord and the kingdom of God in our lives. He does not want us like a monk to blot out all other people and desires from our lives and hearts but He delights in giving us or fulfilling our hearts’ desires. He delights in our zeal for Him and rejoices in our conversations about Him. He delights when we reflect His qualities, attributes and attiitudes in our relationships and situations of life. He delights in us even when we mess up and seek His pardon without attempting to hide it from Him.