Isaiah 58:14

Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord

Delighting in God

I. WHAT IS IMPLIED IN DELIGHTING OURSELVES IN THE LORD.

1. A contemplation of His infinite and adorable perfections; such a contemplation as to derive the highest satisfaction from them; to see in them all that is amiable and lovely.

2. A well-grounded hope of interest in Him; for though this is not the primary, it is a subordinate ground of the believer’s joy, and one of unspeakable importance.

3. Communion with God in holy duties.

4. A sanctified use of all our common mercies, receiving them as His gift, and esteeming them on that account.

5. Contentment in Him, even in the absence of every other good.

6. Delighting in God is accompanied with the cheering prospect of being for ever with Him.

II. VIEW SOME OF THE ADVANTAGES ARISING FROM THIS HEAVENLY STATE OF MIND. Delighting ourselves in the Lord will weaken the influence of sin, and strengthen all the Christian graces. It will be an antidote against fretfulness and discontent, carnality and worldly-mindedness, presumption and self-confidence. It will confirm our faith, inflame our love, and brighten our hopes and prospects. Communion with God disarms our spiritual enemies, or secures us from their attack. It is of eminent use in all the parts of practical religion. It makes active in doing, and steadfast in suffering the will of God; it infuses life into our prayers and praises, and causes us to come with boldness and cheerfulness to the house and table of the Lord. Sorrow and dejection enfeeble the mind; but the joy of the Lord is our strength. The joys of religion will convert this miserable world into a little heaven, and make the Church militant resemble the Church triumphant above, where there are do mourning garments, no dejected countenances, or hearts consumed with grief. (B. Beddome, M. A.)

Duty the road to prosperity

I. DELIGHT IN THE LORD IS CONNECTED WITH THE OBSERVANCE OF THE SABBATH.

II. TRUE PROSPERITY DEPENDS UPON OBEDIENCE TO DIVINE COMMAND.

III. THERE CAN BE NO PERMANENT PROSPERITY APART FROM MORALITY. (Homiletic Review.)

Riding over the heights

The meaning is, “I will carry thee triumphantly over all obstacles” (Deuteronomy 32:11). (Prof. J. Skinner, D. D.)