We find pleasure in the Lord.
“My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.” (Psalm 104:34)
“O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” (Psalm 34:8)
“How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103)
“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart.” (Jeremiah 15:6a)
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16:11)
We know that, for us, pleasure is found in the LORD; but does the LORD find pleasure in someone? Psalm 147 teaches about that, but first it tells what does not bring the Lord pleasure. “He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.” (verse 10) Solomon observed “that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong.” (See Ecclesiastes 9:11) The Lord told Zechariah, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” Psalm 33:16,17 explains, “16) There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. 17) An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.” God is not impressed with man’s strength or a fast running battle horse. Those things do not delight Him. They have no real power in protecting anyone.
“The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.” (Psalm 147:11) Again, Psalm 33 explains this more, “18) Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; 19) To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. 20) Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield. 21) For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. 22) Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.” (Psalm 33:18-22) Jeremiah took comfort in the Lord because He remembered, “I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” (Jeremiah 15:16b)
Do you fear God? Do you trust in His holy name? Do you hope in His mercy? If so, then take comfort. God calls you by name. He is your help and your shield. And He takes pleasure in you. You are under His protecting and loving hand.