The Lord’s delight isn’t in the strength of the horse or in the legs of a man. No, the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him—those who have affectionate reverence for him, putting their hope in his steadfast, never-ending, never-vacillating, contra-conditional love. (Ps.147:10–11) Indeed, the Lord “takes pleasure in His people; He adorns the afflicted with salvation” (Ps.149:4).
Lord Jesus, once again we come to your occupied throne of grace acknowledging our Gospel-amnesia—perhaps worse, our stubborn unbelief. We need to hear the Gospel every day because we forget it every day—or ignore it, or assume you couldn’t possibly love us like you say you do. How arrogant of us—how longsuffering of you.
Until the Day you glorify us, Jesus, our “best” days will need your grace as much as our worse days. How mighty and merciful of a Savior are you? You take great delight in us. You rest in your love towards us, and you quiet our restlessness and fears with your love. You rejoice over us with joyful songs—as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride (Zeph.3:17; Isa.62:5). Give us grace to believe this more than we ever have.
Hallelujah, you adorn us with salvation (Ps.149:4), we don’t impress you with our “save-ability.” When you first saved us, we had more in common with the mean stepmother than sweet Cinderella. You have covered our sin, nakedness, and shame with the wedding garment of your grace and righteousness. And you know we’re still a mess.
Having given yourself to make us your bride, Jesus, you are now changing, cleansing, and washing us—bathing us with the water of your Spirit and grace, and the truths of your Word. On the perfect Day, you will present us to yourself as a stainless, wrinkleless, blemish-less bride—holy and blameless (Eph. 5:25-27). Hallelujah, on Gospel-Steroids! So Very Amen.