Keys to the Storehouse – What is Your Delight

There is Nero, that monster of cruelty and vice, beholding the joy and exaltation of those whom he once tortured, and in whose extremist anguish he found Satanic delight. His mother is there to witness the result of her own work; to see how the evil stamp of character transmitted to her son, the passions encouraged and developed by her influence and example, have borne fruit in crimes that caused the world to shudder.” The Story of Redemption, 424.

“Martin Luther [was] zealous, ardent, and devoted, knowing no fear but the fear of God, and acknowledging no foundation for religious faith but the Holy Scriptures, Luther was the man for his time; through him, God accomplished a great work for the reformation of the church and the enlightenment of the world.” Ibid., 340.

We are told that, “Above everything else he delighted in the study of God’s word. He had found a Bible chained to the convent wall, and to this he often repaired.” Ibid., 341.

“Now, for the first time, he looked upon the whole Bible. With mingled awe and wonder he turned the sacred pages; with quickened pulse and throbbing heart he read for himself the words of life, pausing now and then to exclaim, ‘Oh, if God would give me such a book for my own!’ ” Ibid., 340.

What is your delight?

Adam and Eve “were charmed [delighted] with the little songsters around them, wearing their bright yet graceful plumage, and warbling forth their happy, cheerful music. The holy pair united with them and raised their voices in harmonious songs of love, praise, and adoration to the Father and His dear Son for the tokens of love which surrounded them. They recognized the order and harmony of creation, which spoke of wisdom and knowledge that were infinite. Some new beauty and additional glory of their Eden home they were continually discovering, which filled their hearts with deeper love and brought from their lips expressions of gratitude and reverence to their Creator.” Ibid., 22, 23.

“She [Eve] ate, and was delighted with the [forbidden] fruit. It seemed delicious to her taste, and she imagined that she realized in herself the wonderful effects of the fruit.” Ibid., 35.

Do you delight in what is forbidden?

“He [Satan] had delighted to control so powerful a race, and wished them to live to practice their abominations, and increase their rebellion against the God of heaven.” Ibid., 67.

What is your delight?

  • Is it satanic delight like Nero, watching wickedness, suffering, death in movies?
  • Is it studying God’s word and sharing it as Luther did?
  • Is it delight in God’s creation?
  • Is it delight in taking part in things that God’s word has forbidden?
  • Is it taking delight in control of people and things?
  • Or do you delight yourself in the Lord?

Do you honestly know the true desire of your own heart?

God’s word says, “Delight thyself also in the Lord and He shall give thee the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). [All emphasis added.]

Father: I do not want any of the devil’s attributes. Oh, what a terrible thing to be like Nero who delighted in watching wickedness and suffering. Remove any such delight from my heart and replace it with a heart like Jesus’, full of heavenly love. Help me to turn away from earthly pleasures and delight in the things pertaining to heaven. Amen.