May 21, 2023

Psalm 149: 4 For the Lord takes delight in his people. (NIV)

Do not grieve Him by doubting His love.*

What do you think God sees when he looks at you? What do you see when you look at your children or grandchildren or nieces and nephews? Do you see bratty, snot-nosed carrier monkeys? Or do you look at them through eyes of love? Love doesn’t make you blind to their bad behavior; it just makes you see it in a different light.

In his commentary, David Guzik writes: “We often underestimate the joy God has in His people, and too often think God is annoyed or irritated with us.”* Do you go around fearing that you are getting on God’s nerves the way other people’s kids get on yours? (I told my kids: “I think you are the cutest kids in the world but not everyone feels that way.”) When you mess up (again!), do you picture him throwing up his hands and saying, “That’s it! I've had it with you!”

The psalmist says that the Lord delights in his people. Picture joy instead of exasperation. As long as you love him, as long as you do not turn your back on him, you are still God’s child and he still delights in you. Dotes on you. Forgives you. He probably thinks you’re cute!

Men more easily believe in miraculous power than in miraculous love.*