“Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”  Hebrews 12:11

“Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name, O LORD God of Hosts.”  Jeremiah 15:16

From Duty to Delight

I remember as a young child lining up in front of the refrigerator, along with my brothers, to partake of a big spoonful of Cod Liver Oil from our mother’s loving hand before we got on the school bus. Oh boy, was that ever horrible-tasting stuff! And as much as we dreaded and hated it, our mother was sure that it was a vital health benefit, so we all obeyed and somehow managed to get it down before we went to school (and on the weekends, too, of course!). She was very health-conscious and her knowledge of nutritious food as well as the discipline to provide it for us paid off as we were, and still are, very healthy individuals. Delightful!

That made me think about how and what I eat spiritually. Since I first became a Christian, I have made it a habit and disciplined myself to read my Bible every day. Even though I know the many benefits of being in the Word, I sometimes do it out of duty and lose the delight of just being in His presence and listening for His voice. When I read out of duty, it’s like taking Cod Liver Oil—I’m doing it because it’s good for me; but when I am willing to take time to “eat and digest” it, His Word becomes a delight, “the joy and rejoicing of my heart” like it says in Jeremiah 15:16.

It’s the same with prayer. Many times it is a duty as I find it hard to be still and take time to wait on Him, but when I do, I am in awe how He directs and speaks to me personally, revealing things that thrill and delight me. Just to think that He desires to fellowship with me is beyond what I can even comprehend.

Our flesh nature will always be tempted to partake of the pleasures of the world—to fill up on the “candy” in place of eating a nutritious meal. Those empty calories take away our appetite for the things that are good for us, and if we continue in this unhealthy practice, it will soon manifest in poor health.

“Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:3, 4).

Lord, You are my desire and I long to feed on Your goodness. Amen!