JULY 29
Psalm 149:4, “For the Lord takes pleasure in his people.”
What brings you pleasure? For me, it is watching my garden flourish, landing a big fish, or seeing a project come together after hard work. But nothing compares to the joy of watching my children and grandchildren thrive. Just recently, I watched a video of my 12-year-old grandson hitting a grand slam—and I couldn’t help but smile.
Yet when it comes to finding pleasure in people, it can be a mixed experience. Decades of pastoral ministry have shown me that none of us are without flaws, including me. While gathering with the saints on Sunday is one of life’s richest blessings, people are still people—capable of saying and doing things that wound, confuse, or disappoint. Ministry means walking with others through the good, the bad, and the deeply broken, as we look to Jesus, who came to this broken world to deliver us from our sins.
And yet, in the middle of all our imperfections and inconsistencies, Psalm 149 offers a stunning truth: “For the Lord takes pleasure in his people” (Psalm 149:4). It’s almost hard to grasp—this holy, perfect God finds joy in us. Not because we’ve earned it or lived up to some ideal, but because He delights in manifesting the riches of His grace and mercy, in clothing us with His salvation. Where human love so often falters or fades, God’s love remains steadfast. He doesn’t just tolerate His people—He treasures them. That’s a truth worth resting in, especially when we’re painfully aware of our flaws or discouraged by the flaws of others. God’s pleasure in His people is rooted in grace, not performance, and that gives us reason to rejoice.
Preceding verse 4, the psalmist calls God’s people to joyful, exuberant praise: “Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!” (Psalm 149:3). This isn’t dry religion—it’s vibrant, heartfelt worship. God delights not only in His people but also in their praise, because He is infinitely worthy of it. When we lift our voices in praise, we are enjoining ourselves to our God-given purpose. As the Westminster Catechism so beautifully puts it, our chief end is “to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” Praise isn’t just a duty—it’s a fulfillment of purpose. And when we praise Him, He is pleased, not because He needs our songs, but because we are living in right relationship with Him, doing what we were made to do: finding joy in the One who takes joy in us.
“The chief end of man to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” – Westminster Catechism
APPLICATION QUESTIONS: Do you truly believe that God takes pleasure in you—not because of what you’ve done, but because of who you are in Christ? How does that truth change the way you view yourself and your relationship with Him
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