Delight in God

Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes. “Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don’t pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the Lord’s holy day. Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day, and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly. Then the Lord will be your delight. I will give you great honor and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob. I, the Lord, have spoken!” Isaiah 58:12-14 NLT

Isaiah Chapter 58 began by reminding the Israelites not to take lightly the practice of fasting. When fasting is done in its truest sense it will lead to humility before God and ministry to others. We deny ourselves of material things so we can help others for the glory of God. If our goal in practicing religious rituals (i. e. fasting) are just for the sake of getting something from God, then we missed the meaning of true worship. Our delight of God expressed in worship should lead us to ministering to the needs of others. The day of worship, Sabbath, was designed by God to help us realize that our needs will not be satisfied by the things of this world. It is a day set around in glorifying and enjoying the presence of God among the community of believers. Our highest value expressed in worshiping God will lead to a freedom and joy serving others. Observing the Sabbath should not be an inconvenience to us but a day spent focusing on God. Do we love Him enough that we will “Keep the Sabbath day holy” and not to “pursue [our] your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the Lord’s holy day”? (Isaiah 58:13). Delight in God will not only be beneficial to every believer but will provide a treasure of inheritance to the next generation. “I will give you great honor and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob. I, the Lord, have spoken!” (Isaiah 58:14).

Blessings,