1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. (Psalm 1:1 – 2, New International Version)
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. (Psalm 34:8, New International Version)
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (Psalm 16:11, New International Version)
Theme: The Wisdom of Discipline
Title: Discipline and Delight
Reflection:
Self-discipline is often associated with uninspiring activities such as denial of desires or mundane work. There is nothing wrong with those associations, but there is a lot more to discipline than “tough it out” connotations. The blessed man in Psalm 1 brings this point to life. He is an individual that has found a source of pleasure in the word of God. The Hebrew word that is translated as “delight” is “chephets.” Chephets signifies a strong inclination or pleasure in something. In the three Scripture passages above, I see pleasure arising from a positive choice, not from serendipity. It is a choice with positive results. If we choose to taste what God has on offer we find that it is good. If we choose to be in God’s presence we are filled with joy and eternal pleasures.
Conclusion:
We have the capacity to associate discipline with pleasure. As reflected in the Psalms, we should prayerfully delight ourselves in God’s word and presence. How does the word of God bring you pleasure? I would love to hear your thoughts.
Contributor: Norman Christie