Delighting in God's Way Despite Life's Difficulties
Delighting in God's way, even amidst life's difficulties, is a recurring theme in biblical and theological thought, rooted in the understanding that God's path is inherently good and leads to ultimate joy [5, 9]. The Psalmist declares, "A man’s goings are established by Yahweh. He delights in his way" [2]. This delight is not merely an emotional response but a deep satisfaction found in adhering to God's commands and trusting in His providence [6].
The concept of delighting in God's way is often presented as a command, as seen in Psalm 37:4, "Delight yourself in the Lord" [6]. This delight is closely linked to reconciliation with God and observing His statutes [6]. For instance, Psalm 119:14 states, "I rejoice in the way of Your testimonies as much as in all riches" [4]. This suggests that finding joy in God's law is comparable to, or even surpasses, the pleasure derived from material wealth. Rashi, commenting on Psalm 37:4, interprets "delight in the Lord" as enjoying delights by being supported by God [7].
The "way of the Lord" is consistently described as perfect and righteous [11]. Matthew Henry describes the way of religion as "a straight, plain, easy way; it is the way of righteousness" [9]. He further characterizes it as a "safe, pleasant, comfortable way," leading not only to life at its end but also providing comfort along the journey [9]. This path is seen as one that God has prepared, a "highway" tracked by all saints [9].
Despite the inherent goodness of God's way, the Christian life is not free from tribulation. The Apostle Paul, for example, speaks of commending oneself as a servant of God "in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses" [1]. John Gill, in his commentary on Romans 12:12, notes that "whilst the saints are in this world they must expect tribulation; their way to heaven lies through" it [10]. However, this tribulation does not negate the possibility of delight. Instead, delight is often found in the hope of future glory and in the steadfastness of faith during trials [10]. Gill connects "rejoicing in hope" with patience in tribulation, asserting that nothing more effectively encourages cheerful service to God or patience in affliction than the hope of eternal communion with the Lord [10].
The New Testament further emphasizes that joy can be found even in challenging circumstances. Jesus blesses those who do not "fall away because of me," implying that delight comes from accepting His "path of suffering" and setting aside personal agendas [8]. The book of Acts records that God makes known "the paths of life," filling believers with joy in His presence [3]. This joy is not dependent on the absence of difficulty but on the presence of God and the certainty of His established path [3].
The happiness of saints, according to Torrey's Topical Textbook, is found in God Himself, in the ways of wisdom, and is derived from the fear of God, trust in Him, obedience to His commands, and the hope of glory [5]. Even divine chastening is listed as a source of happiness [5]. This perspective suggests that delight is not merely an emotional state but a deep-seated spiritual condition rooted in one's relationship with God and adherence to His will, regardless of external circumstances. Believers are even said to "sing in the ways of the Lord," recognizing the excellency and pleasantness of His paths, and acknowledging the great glory of the Lord displayed in creation and redemption [12].
Sources
- 2 Corinthians “but in everything commending ourselves, as servants of God, in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, -- 2 Corinthians 6:4”
- Psalms “A man’s goings are established by Yahweh. He delights in his way. -- Psalms 37:23”
- Acts “Acts 2:28 (BSB) — You have made known to me the paths of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence.’”
- Psalms “Psalms 119:14 (BSB) — I rejoice in the way of Your testimonies as much as in all riches.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Happiness of Saints In This Life — Is in God -- Ps 73:25,26. Only found in the ways of wisdom -- Pr 3:17,18. Described by Christ in the beatitudes -- Mt 5:3-12. Is derived from Fear of God. -- Ps 128:1,2; Pr 28:14. Trust in God. -- Pr 16:20; Php 4:6,7. The words of Christ. -- Joh 17:13. Obedience to God. -- Ps 40:8; Joh 13:17. Salvation. -- De 33:29; Isa 12:2,3. Hope in the Lord. -- Ps 146:5. Hope of glory. -- Ro 5:2. God being their Lord. -- Ps 144:15. God being their help. -- Ps 146:5. Praising God. -- Ps 135:3. Their mutual love. -- Ps 133:1. Divine chastening. --”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Delighting In God — Commanded -- Ps 37:4. Reconciliation leads to -- Job 22:21,26. Observing the sabbath leads to -- Isa 58:13,14. Saints' experience in Communion with God. -- Song 2:3. The law of God. -- Ps 1:1; 119:24,35. The goodness of God. -- Ne 9:25. The comforts of God. -- Ps 94:19. Hypocrites Pretend to. -- Isa 58:2. In heart despise. -- Job 27:10; Jer 6:10. Promises to. -- Ps 37:4. Blessedness. -- Ps 112:1.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Psalms 37:4: So shall you delight in the Lord Enjoy delights by being supported by the Holy One, blessed be He.”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 7:23: 7:23 God blesses those who do not fall away because of me: The blessing is for those who are able to put aside their personal agendas and preconceived ideas about the Messiah and accept Jesus’ path of suffering.”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 12:28: The way of religion is here recommended to us, 1. As a straight, plain, easy way; it is the way of righteousness. God's commands (the rule we are to walk by) are all holy, just, and good. Religion has right reason and equity on its side; it is a path-way, a way which God has cast up for us (Isa 35:8); it is a highway, the king's highway, the King of kings' highway, a way which is tracked before us by all the saints, the good old way, full of the footsteps of the flock. 2. As a safe, pleasant, comfortable way. (1.) There is not only life at the end, but there is”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 12:12: Rejoicing in hope,.... Of the glory of God, than the hope of which nothing can make a believer more cheerful in this world; the saints' joy is therefore called the "rejoicing of the hope", Heb 3:6. This is placed between serving the Lord, and being patient in tribulation; for nothing tends more to animate the people of God to a cheerful serving of him, or to make them more patient under afflictions, than a hope of being for ever with the Lord: patient in tribulation; whilst the saints are in this world they must expect tribulation; their way to heaven lies through ”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 18:29: As for God, his way is perfect,.... Or "without spot" (m), as the Septuagint render the word; without any just charge of inequality, or unrighteousness; such is God's way of providence, though sometimes his methods of providence are cavilled at by wicked men, and murmured at by his own people: they are at a loss, at times, to reconcile promises and providences together, and to account for the justice and equity of them; these ways of his are unsearchable, and not to be traced out by them; but when his judgments will be made manifest, the wisdom, goodness, and righteo”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 138:5: Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord,.... Which are all mercy and truth; ways of pleasantness, and paths of peace: so the eunuch went on his way, and in the ways of the Lord rejoicing, Act 8:39; Or, "they shall sing of the ways of the Lord" (t); of the excellency, pleasure, and usefulness of them; for great is the glory of the Lord; shown in the works of creation; more especially in the person of Christ, and in the glorious work of redemption and salvation by him; and of which there will be a great display throughout the earth in the latter day, by means of”