God's delight

"Would that I would see my sin as horrifying and His grace as amazing as I did when first reborn. Give me daily a broken and contrite heart."  
(RC Sproul Jr.)

I'm intrigued with this quote that came across my Twitter feed earlier today. So much truth in these 28 words. As I meditate on the content, I'm reminded that at least three times in scripture where it describes me. Jeremiah said my heart is wicked; Isaiah wrote that my best is a dirty bloody rag. Paul wrote that there's nothing good in my flesh; in fact, I bring nothing to the table of eternal value on my own. How's that for a word of encouragement, hah?

Actually, it does encourage me to no end. For starters, God is perfect, holy, righteous and full of glory. I'm His creation; a creation that is oh so flawed, so messed up, so full of stuff. I seek praise, accolades and pats on my insecure back. I continue to please my flesh by priding myself in my self-sufficiency - the list goes on and on. Why? I'm human.  

Check it out though: this perfect God loves me, a guy totally imperfect, just because He chooses to. The Lord delights in me simply because it gives Him joy, seriously? In fact, if you really dig deep into truth, the Book says I'm the praise of His glory. Wow, that's amazing, right?

Bottom line: if I remember where I came from and the unmerited favor of a magnanimous God toward me, my heart bubbles forth with gratitude and thanksgiving. And further, this ignites a desire within me to be about growing in that intimate relationship with my Savior.

Last, I believe the delight God is overjoying in isn’t me at all; rather, it’s when my heart and life radiates the love of His Son that brings God such delight.  Once again, it’s Him, not me!

I must decrease and He must increase – John the Baptist