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TWO WAY STREETS!

February 9, 2022 by Dr. Mike Bagwell

Most streets are, of course.

But more and more, in cities at least, one-way streets are in vogue.

But today I mean two-way streets in a spiritual sense.

Like this verse in 1 John 4:19 … “We love Him, because He first loved us.” Two-ways, and Jesus was the initiator!

I sort of hit on this thought reading Psalm 149 a while ago. “For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people.” Psalm 149:4

Can you imagine that?

The Lord taking pleasure in the likes of us? Old sinners saved by Grace? Spiritual babies, too much of the time!

Yet our verse says He does!

The verb translated “taketh pleasure” is “ratsah” in Hebrew. Here are a few of its varied appearances in the King James Version of Scripture. He “accepts” His people, found 22 times. He is “pleased” with His people, 6 times. He is “delighted” with His people, 5 times! Get this thought … He “enjoys” His people, 4 times! He finds “favour” in His people, 3 times. Then the choice our translators felt led to use in Psalm 149, The Lord “takes pleasure” in His people, 6 times!

Wow!

If you’re discouraged today, are doubting God’s Care … read that “definition” Paragraph again!

But like I said, this “delight” thing is NOT a one-way street!

Can I prove that?

One verse alone does, and a well-known verse at that. “DELIGHT THYSELF also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalm 37:4 being quoted.

Yet again in Isaiah 58:14, upon obeying God as He commanded, Israel is promised … “Then shalt thou DELIGHT THYSELF in the LORD; and I (the Lord) will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” It’s for sure! He will perform what He said here!

It is perhaps significant that a different Hebrew word is used of our delighting in God than His delighting in us. But our Bible has seen fit (I believe of the Lord) to translate the words identically in English.

Let me show you the verb for our delighting in Jesus. In both the Psalms and Isaiah Texts used above it is spelled “anag.” It is rendered as “delight” in 7 of its 10 appearances in the Bible! Quite conclusive! Elsewhere it is “be delicate” (2 times) and amazingly, “to sport” with someone! To enjoy them to the point of (holy) playfulness! Astounding!

Now then, we KNOW the Lord takes pleasure in us! Question is … am I taking pleasure in Him as I should?

Enjoy Him today.

Love Him and tell Him so!

After all, this is a two-way street!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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