A Father Who Delights in His Child

He brought me out into a spacious place;
   he rescued me because he delighted in me.
Psalm 18:19

More than anything, I wanted my father's approval...

One of the most difficult voids to fill in a person's life is the hole formed by rejection.

We believe that a parent's love should be unconditional. Many have had the joy of this experience, but many have not. Growing up with rejection, and struggles for approval, from our father leaves what seems to be a bottomless hole in our souls.

This is a hole that can only be filled by God with an honest relationship through Jesus Christ.

Understanding our identity in Christ grows deeper as we begin to acknowledge, and accept, God's pleasure in us, His children. Throughout His Word, God makes it clear that there are many reasons He is delighted with us.

God DELIGHTS in our well-being.
Psalm 35:27 -May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, “The LORD be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant.”

God DELIGHTS in our reverent fear and worship.
Psalm 147: 10-12 -His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior; the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.

God DELIGHTS in our obedience, in our doing what is right.
Proverbs 21:2-3 -We may think we are doing the right thing, but the LORD always knows what is in our hearts. Doing what is right and fair pleases the LORD more than an offering.

God DELIGHTS in making us strong.
Psalm 89:17-You are their glorious strength. It pleases you to make us strong.
 
God DELIGHTS in revealing His wisdom to us, the untaught and unskilled; his little children
Matthew 11:25-26 - At that time Jesus began to say, I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth [and I acknowledge openly and joyfully to Your honor], that You have hidden these things from the wise and clever and learned, and revealed them to babies [to the childish, untaught, and unskilled]. Yes, Father, [I praise You that] such was Your gracious will and good pleasure.

God DELIGHTS in giving us the Kingdom (with treasures beyond what we can imagine).
Luke 12:31-33- But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.

God DELIGHTS in revealing Jesus to us, His Creation, so that we can share Him with the world.
Galatians 1:15-16 - But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles.

God DELIGHTS in our endurance.
1 Peter 2:19-20-For God is pleased with you when you do what you know is right and patiently endure unfair treatment. Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.

God DELIGHTS in having created us.
Revelation 4:11- “You are worthy, O Lord our God,to receive glory and honor and power.For you created all things,and they exist because you created what you pleased.”