Every time I read this verse I instantly envision a young girl-child (must be me!) in a pretty little summer dress and shiny black, yes, shiny black, patent-leather shoes (isn't all this detail just too this weird...) giggling and skipping and jumping in the brilliant, unclouded sunshine, arms lifted to the sky, thoroughly and completely oblivious to everything around her. She is, quite simply, in love with the moment. And to me, of course, this "moment" is Jesus. I don't see Him, but I know, without the shadow of a doubt, that He is there and the very reason for my ecstasy. I just stop reading and savor the moment for as long as I can. Ummmmmmm, so delicious.
I heard a teaching long ago about the word "delight" in the Psalms. The teacher said that the word delight means "to kiss the cheeks of Jesus". And instantly, I was lost. Lost in the wonder and joy and absolute abandon of snuggling up to Jesus, taking His sweet face in my hands, and smothering Him with kisses, as small children do with those they deeply love. Giggling, and snuggling and planting kisses everywhere. Can't you just see Jesus throwing back His head, His eyes all crinkled up, laughing, totally embracing you in that moment. The pure sweetness of it all is overwhelming.
This is how Jesus wants us to delight in Him - sweetly, purely, with utter abandon, giving no thought whatsoever to what anyone else in the world is thinking. This is the moment for just me and Him. Can you feel it?
Then, when you have collapsed with holy fatigue, exhausted from the sheer glory of it all, as you rest in the meadow of Christ's peace with butterflies of grace cascading all over you, Jesus fulfills His promise to you and gives you your heart's desire. And at this moment, you can be sure that your desire and His will for your life are a perfect match. When you delight yourself in the Lord, you are centered in His perfect will. Ohhhhhhhhhh, the incredible glory of it all!!!!!
Delight yourself in the Lord. Become a child again the in the arms of Jesus. Why are adults so afraid to let themselves be emotionally and spiritually child-LIKE in their faith, free and unhindered by the opinions and constraints of others? We have allowed, given permission, to the world to dictate IT'S terms to us in regards to our spiritual behavior. Shame on us. All this is doing is depriving US of an intimate, loving, spontaneous relationship with Jesus. And guess who the winner is in THAT deal!!!!!!! And it's not me or you or Jesus!!!!!
Matt 18:2 says that unless we become AS (emphasis mine) little children, we will not see the kingdom of heaven. Ouch!!!! Guess this is one of those commands we don't think are all that important and are farther down on our to-do list. It's time, as Ron Konely sings, to take back what the devil's stolen. It's time to climb to the "high places" and tear down the altars of Baal and consecrate the land again to the Lord. It is long past time to delight in the Lord.
Are you ready to dance before the Lord, if only in your spirit? Are you ready to kiss His cheecks and giggle with Him? Then just do it! It don't get no better then this!
I love dancing with you, Jesus. I love giggling and jumping and singing with you in your meadows. I am so thankful you want to dance with me. Thank you for drawing me to you and filling me with delight for you. I love you, Jesus. Amen.
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