HOPE IN GOD’S MERCY

“The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who HOPE IN HIS MERCY” – Psalm 147:11

God is delighted when we HOPE IN HIS MERCY: “The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who HOPE IN HIS MERCY” (Psa.147:11). God delights in those who fear Him and Hope in His Mercy. To fear God means to respect, revere, and honour Him. When we fear God, we recognize He is God and we are not. But His delight in us doesn’t just come when we fear Him; we must have expectation of His love for us. The Living Bible says it beautifully: “But his joy is in those who reverence him, those who expect him to be loving and kind.” We delight in the Lord, remembering He is delighting in us!

The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him: In those who truly worship Him, however humble, poor, and unknown to others they may be. God’s pleasure is not in the pride, pomp, or prowess of man; it is not in the march of armies or the valour of the battlefield. His delight is in the closet, when His devout child prays; in the family, when the household bend before Him in solemn devotion; in the solemn assembly when brethren are gathered together for prayer and praise; in the heart that truly loves, reverences, and adores Him. Hope in God’s Mercy is Hope in His faithful love, His gracious love, His loyal love, and His loving kindness. It’s a humbling but joyful thought that God delights in us as we delight in Him. How amazing it is for the God of the universe to take pleasure in His creatures.

God is good to us in diverse ways, so many of which we are never aware of. As with a baby that is cared for by the parents – protected, nourished, clothed, and cleaned – God showers us with His love, care, protection and abundant provisions. He blesses us in incredible ways. But it is not only His children that receive the rain, sunshine, and many beauties of creation: “He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Mt.5:45b). God provides all that is needed for life for all of his creation: “The LORD is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works” (Psa.145:9). He created this world and continues to sustain it with His mighty power. What purpose could be greater in life than living to please this God – living to give Him delight!

God’s Word admonishes us to focus on the things above and keep our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith (Heb.12:1-2). We should also teach our children to respect, love and serve God. Abraham was blessed for many reasons but one is because God knew he would direct his household to faith, service and devotion to the only true God (Gen.18:19). We must do the same. Also as Abraham built altars of worship everywhere he went, we must continually offer praise and worship to God in our words, songs, and by our lives. God delights in those who hope in His Mercy. It is a pleasure to Him to have the guilty, the feeble, the undeserving, and the meek, hope in Him – trust in Him – and seek Him.

God most desires for us to trust Him in the present – through faith; and in the future – through hope. He is well pleased when we willingly choose to place all of our hopes solely upon Him and His word. We were created for this one purpose – to please the One who brought us into this world: “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created” (Rev.4:11). This single purpose is impossible to fulfil without faith (Heb.11:6) and hope in the Lord (Psa.147:11). May our Hope in God’s Mercy never be disappointed in time and eternity!