Psalm 147:11
The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. (NIV)
The Psalms tell us that God delights in us.  I struggled in the past to understand and accept God delighting in us when we are known for all that we are, yet I have come to understand God’s delight in us by the experiences I have had as a parent and a friend.
I delighted in my children, praying with them and singing them to sleep when they were younger, aware of who they were in the depths of their beings.  They didn’t have to do anything to earn that devotion from me, regardless of what circumstances we may have faced as parent and child.  This brought to my mind Zephaniah 3:17, “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
In another experience, a friend and I unexpectedly ran into each other.  We had experienced some conflict in our relationship, and when I noticed them coming toward me, I felt anxiety about how they would react.  To my surprise, they hugged me and said how glad they were to see me.  I was suddenly aware that this is how it feels for someone to delight in me, and how much more does God delight in each of us?
When we come as God’s children, God delights in us, simply for who we are.  There is nothing we need to do to earn that devotion.  We simply need to receive it, and rest in the love of the Father for us no matter the circumstances.
PRAYER:  Father God, thank you for loving us just as we are, for always opening Your arms to us when we come to you.  In Jesus’ name, Amen. (318 words)