Thurs., 6/26/14 Devotion (Isa. 58:13b-14a)

Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 58:13b & 14a, where we read these words:

"And [if you] call the Sabbath a delight, the holy day of the LORD honor-
able . . . Then you shall delight yourself in the LORD . . . "

How does one "delight" oneself "in the Lord"? Or, to put it another way, "How does any human being experience the truest, highest, and most lasting and satisfying pleasure?" Answer: by delighting in the *same* things God Himself does.

The Lord delights in seeing faith and repentance in sinners, which manifest themselves immediately in love for Christ, Sabbath (Sunday), church, and worship. Do we really want to be happy, like God is; or are we content being miserable? If we desire true happiness then we will adopt God's values, prior-ities, and love-objects.

[Puritan quote of the day: "We must keep grace in exercise. It is not sleepy habits, but grace in exercise, that preserves us." --Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]