“Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in His commandments” – Psalm 112:1 (King James)
Every other Monday, I have the opportunity to participate in a Bible study with a young guy who is eagerly seeking the Lord. Recently, I returned from vacation to find my inbox flooded with urgent issues waiting for attention. Unfortunately, Bible study happened to fall on the same Monday I was due back at work. I immediately felt the tension: Do I skip this one and get ahead of the chaos, or do I keep my commitment?
I chose to attend—sort of. I went, but my mind was elsewhere. I was distracted, and the cares of the day captured my attention. My obedience was slow, reluctant, and partial. A far cry from the psalmist’s description of the one who “delights greatly in His commandments” (Psalm 112:1).
Obedience is not a new concept for believers. From the beginning of Scripture, God has called His people to hear His voice and follow His commands. But Psalm 112 introduces a deeper distinction—one that moves beyond compliance to the heart of our response: delight.
The psalm doesn’t just describe someone who fears the Lord. It describes someone who greatly delights in God’s commandments. The Hebrew word for “delight” conveys joy, favor, and deep pleasure. This is not the reluctant obedience of someone giving in after resistance. It is not half-hearted or delayed. It is glad, eager, and fast.
So, here’s the question: How do I obey God?
Psalm 112 paints a picture of obedience that is joyful, complete, and prompt. It’s not duty-driven; it’s desire-driven. And it flows from a heart that rightly fears the Lord.
To fear the Lord is to embrace His greatness, His holiness, His justice, and His love. When we see Him clearly, His commands aren’t restrictive—they are life-giving. They are wisdom from the One who knows us best and loves us most.
And here’s the blessing: Psalm 112 goes on to describe the outcomes of the one who fears God and delights in His commands—stability, influence, legacy, generosity, courage, and enduring righteousness. These blessings aren’t earned through performance. They’re the fruit of a surrendered heart.
So again—how do you obey? Are you dragging your feet or running toward His voice? Are you calculating how much to give, or are you offering your whole heart?
God doesn’t demand perfection, but we love Him when we delightfully obey His commands.
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