Disclaimer: the people are real but the names have been altered to protect the innocent. About supper time, there was a soft knock at the door. I was aware that old Mrs. L might drop by, so I answered the door unenthusiastically.  But she looked pathetic so I invited her in. She had a furrowed brow and seemed a little weak as I offered her a chair. She had barely sat down before she began to enumerate her difficulties. As the sun set, darkness crept into the room and into my soul, and I began to squirm. Her litany of ailments and heartaches sounded like self-centered complaining. I wasn’t enjoying her company. I rose to turn on a light and as I turned to sit down the light fell directly on her face. Oh, horrors! It was the same face I looked at every day in the mirror! She was the dark me. I asked her to leave, but she stubbornly refused to budge. Thankfully, just then there was another knock at the door and this time I welcomed in a dear friend. Oh, the delight her smiling face and kind heart gave me! Babs has been a balm to my soul. Her calm, unruffled demeanor and her heart to help everyone make her a valued friend and role model. To my surprise, the old, complaining lady got up abruptly and left. Perhaps she was embarrassed by my kind friend who joyfully serves the hurting, serves her large family, and serves her church faithfully all with a smile on her face and love in her unselfish heart. We were both glad to see the grouchy old woman leave as we settled into a serious conversation unrelated to our struggles.
“Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands.” Psalm 112:1
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Romans 12:10

As we were talking, dear Husband and my friend’s husband came in from stacking the firewood our friends had generously brought us. It struck me that even tho it had grown dark outside, the presence of these dear ones was pouring light into my soul. Dear Husband is my daily encourager as he models delighting in God’s works. He always points out the beauty that surrounds us both in Creation and in the lives of God’s people. Being grateful always chases darkness away.
“Great are the works of the Lord;
they are pondered by all who delight in them.
Glorious and majestic are his deeds…”. Psalm 111:2-3

A few days later, another friend, Elly, pressed me to allow her to bring a meal. I felt embarrassed and guilty because I was feeling better, but I wanted time with her and she was willing to come, soo… What a blessing her visit was! She and her family have come out of a cult. Now she delights in God’s salvation! I soaked in her devotion and her gratitude as she spoke of grace, Jesus’ sacrifice, and faith.
“Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord and delight in his salvation.” Psalm 35:9
“I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness…”. Isaiah 61:10

The next day I gathered with three other teachers of the children’s Bible class. Once again, delight flooded my soul from the light of lives lived for God. Our teachers model delighting in God’s Word. Mick and his adult daughter pour over the Scriptures preparing to teach the children to love and obey the Bible. Their love of the Scriptures is contagious.

“But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.” Psalm 1:2
“When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies.” Jeremiah 15:16
“For in my inner being I delight in God’s law…” Romans 7:22

Every single day since dear Husband’s illness began, Bruno has texted him. He has been an instrument of God’s comfort on a daily basis. And how is that this man is used by God to help us? Perhaps because he is bravely dealing with a terminal illness and has found God to be his comfort.

“When anxiety was in abundance, your comfort brought me delight.” Psalm 94:19
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

And I often get a cheerful call from Hilda with funny stories of their young daughter that lifts my spirits.  Kathie texts me with our project developments.  (She does all the work while I nod and smile.)

And every Sunday we find delight in gathering with other believers lead by Pastor Markus, a man who serves God and his flock steadfastly. He loves us to pray aloud for each other.

“O Lord, please hear my prayer! Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring you.” Nehemiah 1:11
“The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright.” Proverbs 15:8

We delight in making music to God together.
“Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.” Psalm 43:4
“I will sing to the Lord. I will make music to the Lord, the God of Israel.” Judges 5:3

We delight in understanding more about God through the careful preaching of God’s Word mostly by Pastor Markus.
“The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.” Psalm 27:4
“But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth…!” Jeremiah 9:24
“Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.” Psalm 119:35

We’re reminded that obeying God never fails to bring happiness. And when we please God, he delights in us.
“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

“You feed them from the abundance of your own house, letting them drink from your river of delights.” Psalm 36:8

“The Lord makes firm the steps
of the one who delights in him;
though he may stumble, he will not fall,
for the Lord upholds him with his hand.” Psalm 37:23-24

“the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” Psalm 147:11

Let’s shut out the darkness and turn to the light by delighting in godly friendships, God’s Word, God’s works, meeting together, and obedient service.