You may experience delight in a variety of ways – the company of God friends, eating a delicious meal, or enjoying a beautiful sunset. Although David was facing some difficult challenges, he found delight in doing God’s will,

I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart. (Psalm 40:8)

If we’re honest with ourselves, we usually find delight in doing our will rather than God’s will. God’s will may seem more like a “have to” rather than a “want to”. Do you find delight in doing God’s will? When we consider fulfilling God’s law it may seem to be a duty rather than a delight.

How could David find delight in carrying out God’s will? He reveals the answer – God’s Law was in his heart. The word “Law” may refer to a a precept or statute, or more specifically the Decalogue or Pentateuch. David knew the truth about God and His love for His people. He knew that God is good and that He takes care of His people. That’s why David viewed God as His heavenly shepherd who could take care of his every need,

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. (Psalm 23:1)

God gave us His law not only to teach us about Himself, but also to teach us how to live. Our problem is that we lack a long-range perspective. We may have tendency to go for instant gratification rather than realizing a greater reward by delaying our gratification. Although some people may see the law as restrictive, we must realize that it is actually the pathway to freedom.

For example, are you free to run a marathon (26.2 miles)? If you have not undergone the discipline of training then you may not be able to run a marathon and therefore not have the freedom to answer that question in the affirmative. The law of discipline provides the freedom that enables you complete a marathon. The Psalmist realized this truth,

And I will walk at liberty, for I seek Your precepts. (Psalm 119:45)

When we have God’s perspective, we see that His law was given to us not as a restriction, but to provide freedom. Doing God’s will is not always easy but it’s worth it. The writer of the book of Hebrews illustrates this truth as he describes Jesus’ obedience as He endured the ignominy of the cross and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God,

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)

We too must realize that the short-term difficulty leads to the long-term reward,

All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. (Hebrews 12:11)

When you keep the law you may be doing what you don’t necessarily want to do so that you will be what you always wanted to be. Be encouraged that the disciplines you practice today will determine your destiny tomorrow.

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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