What God Delights In
The strength of a horse does not impress him; how puny in his sight is the strength of a man. Rather, the Lord’s delight is in those who honor him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love.
Psalm 147:10-11
In this psalm we discover an important secret about relating to the Lord. Our great and mighty God, who has absolute power over everything in heaven and on earth, is not impressed with powerful people. Those who are strong and mighty in their own strength don’t get God’s attention. Instead, it is the brokenhearted and humble he notices and supports (Psalm 147:3,6).
He chooses to work not through those who are strong but through those who are weak. And most of all, we don’t earn his approval by being great or strong. He delights in those who reverently honor him and put their hope and trust in his unfailing love and mercy, not in their own ability. Today, if you’ve put your hope in anyone or anything else, ask the Lord to forgive you. But don’t stop there. Ask his Spirit to so work in your life that your primary goal becomes honoring and pleasing God.
DEAR LORD, there have been times—even many—when I have relied on someone or something other than you. Forgive me. Those things are “puny” compared to the strength that you give to us when we acknowledge our own weakness and dependence on you. Help me to put my trust in you, and show me the way to a life that honors you. I hope in your unfailing love.
God being Who and What He is, and we being who and what we are, the only thinkable relation between us is one of full lordship on His part and complete submission on ours. We owe Him every honor that it is in our power to give Him.
A. W. Tozer (1897–1963)