LIVING IN WONDER DEVOTIONAL

This devotional first appeared in the July, August, September 2013 issue of Words of Hope.  It is reprinted  with permission. (You can find others in the category Living in Wonder Moments  on the right hand side of the Home page.)

Read:  Psalm 8: 1-9

“The Lord your God is with you . . . He will take great delight in you” (Zeph. 3: 17 NIV)

We thrill to the words of Psalm 8 that picture the glory, majesty, power, and creativity of God. Later in that psalm we learn that we are actually “just a little lower” than the heavenly being and have been “crowned with glory and honor.” Not only that, but we have been put in charge of God’s “handcrafted world” (v. 6 The Message).

This is awe-inspiring, to be sure.  But the words of Zephaniah are even more wonder-full. He tells us that this powerful, majestic God is “with us” and even takes “great delight” in us.  The word delight conjures up pleasure, enjoyment, glee, and even amusement and enchantment.  Not only are we trust with great responsibility, but we also bring God happiness!

Recently I met a woman who had just realized that God delights in her.  She tearfully de-scribed waking up in the middle of a dark night and feeling not only God’s presence but also God’s delight.  Too often we cringe before God because of our mistakes, failures, and doubts.  We are all to ready to think of ourselves merely as wretches in need of grace.

Allow yourself to feel God’s “smile” as you use your unique gifts.  Welcome God’s favor in your moments of loving unselfishness.  Appreciate God’s pleasure as you listen and obey.  And rejoice with Zephaniah in the reality that God is with you and delights in you. – Karen Bables.

Prayer:  Father God, thank you for showering us with your favor and delight.