Jul 20th, 2023:

The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy. Ps 147:11

We seek to obtain the divine favor and grace of God in everything we do. We yearn for God to pat us on the back, just like a son yearns for his father’s approval. God says we can and will get it from him. He will take pleasure in us and promises to bless us when we fear him and hope in his mercy.

Fear (Yirah) of God is derived from a sense of exhilaration and awe at the glory of God and often accompanies worship and adoration. It is is followed by obedience, love, and service towards God. And as God is glorified in these actions, we obtain his divine favor, pleasure, and acceptance. He promises to bless us with knowledge, goodness, mercy, and guidance.

God is glorified in those that hope in his mercy too. ‘He waits for us that he may show us his grace and is exalted in that he may have mercy on us’ (Is 30:18). Thus, our hope in his mercy reflects on God’s good attribute of being ‘Merciful’. God is glorified in our expectancy and understanding of his mercy and continues to strengthen our hope in his mercy, by being merciful. He expects us to hope in his mercy and ultimately on hope in him. He promises to bless us by forgiving us, showing his compassion, strengthening our souls and encouraging us.

Let us seek to fear the Lord, and hope in his mercy today and thus obtain his favor!