MARCH 2024
DRINK FROM GOD’S RIVER OF DELIGHT
There are many Promises in the Word of God that we are not often aware of. I came across one in the Psalms the other day. Psalm 36, written by David is a Psalm about abundance. It begins however by describing the extent of humanity’s sinfulness. David was surrounded by people with no regard for God and who were steeped in sin. They were wicked, violent, deceitful and spent their time planning evil. This sounds a lot like our day and time. So many are turning to dubious ways to do life and leaving the straight and narrow path.
However, we need to always remember that we may not have any choice about what the enemy throws at us, but we always have a choice as to how we respond to it. Our response determines our strength as Christians, and which kingdom we are empowering. When we believe the enemy and act from a place of fear, we are empowering his kingdom. When we believe God’s love and faithfulness, and act from a place of trust, we are empowering God’s Kingdom.
So what was David’s response to the world around him? He did not despair or become disillusioned with life. He did not lose faith or hope in God’s ability. Rather, he reiterated that He knew God and drank from His river of delight (Psalm 36 v 8). He wasn’t perturbed by what evil men around him were doing, because he reminded himself of who God is and has been to him. He thus knew he could rely on God Almighty and thus drink from God’s river of delight. Some versions of the Bible refer to it as river of your pleasure.
You may be wondering what Father God wants us to drink from His river of delight.
Delight is defined as something that brings joy and happiness. It also brings great pleasure and satisfaction. Father God knows that we come into His joy when we know Him. We don’t just know Him, but we are known by God Almighty.
We need to remember who He says we are in Him and that informs our identity. That we are sons (and daughters) of the Most High God, and adoption into His family ensures our sense of belonging. Knowing Him causes our hearts to be reunited to His in love and adoration.
Our ability to drink of His river of delight causes us to also come into experiencing the fullness of God’s love for us. 1 John 3 v 1 explains about the lavish love that God has for us, so much so that we would be called the children of God.
We need to learn to stay close and lean completely on God not on men. A lot of us depend more on man, and we end up being disappointed because man does fail. God desires that we draw near to Him, so that He will draw near to us (James 4 v 8). Also we are told not to lean on our understanding (Proverbs 3 v 5-6) but to trust sorely in God.
We need to find our refuge under the shadow of His wings. Our God is the fountain of life, and in him we see light. This implies that not only is He the Light of the world, but He is our Source and there is absolutely no lack in Him. In this way, no matter what is going on in our lives, He calls us to come to feast on the abundance of His delight and this is His Promise to us.
May the Lord bless us all.
Mina Bajomo
