(from devotion published June 4, 2006)
God created the world for our pleasure. He created us for His pleasure. His Word says that He delights in us. Enjoying pleasure is part of how He wired us. It is not a sin to desire pleasure. It, like everything else, must be kept in balance. As long as it does not become an idol, as long as it does not take us out of worshiping Jesus Christ, as long as it does not make us disobedient, it is fine. God gave us the capacity to enjoy His creation as a gift. It is natural to desire pleasure.
King David said, “I will take pleasure in your laws and remember your words.” (Psalm 119:16) ‘I enjoy pleasing you. Your Law is in my heart.’ (Psalm 40:8) Pleasure is needed to refresh the soul, mind, and body. We need to take great pleasure in our worship and praise to Him. “I enjoy praising your name to the music of harps, because everything you do makes me happy, and I sing joyful songs.” (Psalm 92:3- 4)
We are to take pleasure in all the gifts that God blesses us with; especially in His creation. Our lives, our spouses, our children, our family, our church, our work, etc. are all good and perfect gifts from our loving, Father of Lights. Nonetheless, we must be careful not to worship the creations made with our own hands. Many people are lulled into idol worship by the creativity of Man. We must stay focused on the effects of eternal value not temporal. “Warn the rich people of this world not to be proud or to trust in wealth that is easily lost. Tell them to have faith in God, who is rich and blesses us with everything we need to enjoy life.” (1Timothy 6:17)
