God’s pleasure in me and my satisfaction in Him

October 4, 2025

Maria God's Attributes, God's goodness, God's pleasure, God's protection, God's Provision, Psalm 37 , , , , , Leave a comment

Delight yourself in the Lord . . . and he will direct your steps, delighting in the details of your life. 

Psalm 37:4 ESV and 5 (My rewording)

These two verses from the same psalm are like a double blessing. I can hardly believe that Scripture declares that God follows, enjoys, and finds pleasure in me as I heed His directing. I can almost picture the Father chortling as He watches my every move, maybe pointing me out to some angels. 

“Just look at my daughter! She’s following my clear guidance. She’s trusting me. She’s doing what we designed her to do and be. How much joy that gives me!”

And what does this psalm promise that I will receive? When I set my heart on enjoying my relationship with God, I am guaranteed satisfaction and protective guidance from the Father. Money can’t buy that! 

The question is HOW to be glad in Him, to find Him satisfying? What comes to mind is to hold God first in my thoughts and first in my daily priorities. Truth is, I set out doing just that early in the morning. But then I get distracted.

Last night I was reading about the 20-20-20 ‘rule’ as some call it. It’s meant to help your body and your vision. Every 20 minutes, rise from your desk or work space and focus your eyes on something outside a window that is about 20 feet away. Hold your gaze for 20 seconds. 

Perhaps I can couple that practice with bringing my thoughts back to the One who is most important in the universe and the source of all goodness.

The Nimrod Challenge

December 30, 2023

Maria 1 Corinthians 10, Colossians 3, Coram Deo, Genesis 10, God's pleasure, Pleasing God , , , , Leave a comment

He was a mighty hunter before the LORD. Therefore, it is said, “Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the LORD.” Genesis 10:9 ESV

I’ve never paid much attention to Nimrod.  Apparently, people knew him so well as a famous champion hunter that his name became a proverb. As I started to read on in Genesis, three little words stopped me, ‘Before the Lord’

‘Before the Lord’ is code for God paying attention, God looking at Nimrod.  From what I have read in other passages, that usage of the Hebrew words ‘panim Yahweh’, refers to when God turns his face toward us with favor and love.

Recall Jesus’ words, ‘depart from me, for I never knew you’. Don’t we want to have God look at us with his welcoming eyes?

What could have caused God to want to look at Nimrod the career hunter?  I can only assume, it’s due to HOW and for WHOM this powerful man embraced his calling and prowess. Paul’s words come to mind:

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 ESV

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV

I think we can apply Nimrod’s example to us.  That is, by doing what brings us joy in a manner that pleases God. God made Nimrod a hunter. This long-ago man embraced the desire and the talents he received and in doing them for God, he probably helped many others.

Nimrod’s example reminds me of Eric Liddell’s famous line, ‘When I run, I feel God’s pleasure’. With Nimrod and this runner-turned-missionary in mind, I wrote down a few activities that bring ME joy:

  • Speaking and learning languages
  • Making and eating bread
  • Writing
  • Learning people’s stories

God has given me these interests, these desires, these pleasures. And THIS new year, 2024, my number-one goal is to embrace them as did Nimrod his love of hunting. I want to do my joyous activities to please God, to feel his love and approval and to do them by his power, so people will know who he is. 

How am I going to remember that I live ‘coram deo’. You’ve probably heard Martin Luther’s Latin phrase. Here’s a brief description from a Ligonier Ministry article:

This phrase literally refers to something that takes place in the presence of, or before the face of, God. To live coram Deo is to live one’s entire life in the presence of God, under the authority of God, to the glory of God.

As a daily reminder, I have started wearing my watch on my right hand. It feels strange.  And it is causing me to remember that God is always watching me with the loving eyes of a welcoming Father.

And if you are you still sifting through goals or resolutions or ‘a new word’ for this next year, here’s a suggestion.  How about NOT adding anything to your already busy life, but instead embrace what you really love and are already doing. But do it/them ‘before God’s face’. I wager that soon, this habit will begin to spread even to those things we might not choose to do, but have been ‘assigned’ to do.

Happy ‘hunting’!