Delighting in God's Will:
Finding Joy in Surrender

Delighting in God's Will:
Finding Joy in Surrender

In Psalm 40:8 (NLT), David writes, "I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart." This verse is a powerful reminder that God's will is not something we should dread or resist - it's something we can take joy in. But how do we move from seeing God's will as a duty to finding true delight in it?

A Heart Transformed by God
True joy in doing God's will begins with a transformed heart. On our own, we don't naturally desire God's ways. Jeremiah 17:9 reminds us "The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?" But when God writes His instructions on our hearts, everything changes. His law becomes something we desire, not something we feel obligated to follow.

When we allow God to change our hearts, obedience becomes joyful, not burdensome. As John Piper puts it, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."

Freedom in Obedience
True freedom is found in following God's will. The world tells us that freedom comes from doing whatever we want, but Psalm 119:45 (NLT) says, "I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments." Obeying God's commands doesn't enslave us; it frees us from the chains of sin. When we live according to God's design, we experience the life He intended for us - full of joy, peace, and true freedom.

Surrendering Our Will
Living a life that delights in God's will requires daily surrender. Jesus is our perfect example of this. In Luke 22:42, as He faced the cross, He prayed, "Yet I want your will to be done, not mine." Jesus' surrender led to our salvation. When we surrender our will to God's, we trust that His ways are better than ours - even when it's difficult. As Oswald Chambers once said, "The best measure of a spiritual life is not its ecstasies, but its obedience."

Joyful Obedience
When God's Word is written on our hearts, obedience becomes second nature. Jesus said in John 14:15 (NLT), "If you love me, obey my commandments." Our obedience is a response to God's love, not a way to earn His favour. As Charles Spurgeon once said, "When your will is God's will, you will have your will." When we delight in God's will, we experience the joy of living in harmony with His purposes.

A Final Thought
God's will isn't something we should fear - it's where we find true joy, freedom, and peace. If you're struggling to delight in God's will today, ask Him to transform your heart, help you surrender, and fill you with joy as you walk in obedience.

If you've never experienced the joy of knowing Christ, turn to Him today. Jesus came to earth, died for your sins, and offers eternal life to all who trust in Him.