God Delighteth | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 23, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 29.

God Delighteth.

Of all the attributes of God's character in one it is said that he delighteth. We do not mean by this that he delights in nothing else; for he does. He delights in his people, in those who do his will, who do justice, who understand and know him, and in many other things. Of course he delights in everything good, but he singles out one attribute of his character, an attribute that Satan ever tries to hide, and he tells us that he delights in exercising that attribute, and he tells it to the undeserving, the sinner, the hopeless, that the sinner may have hope. Listen! “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not his anger forever, because HE DELIGHTETH IN MERCY.” Micah 7:18. This is his message to you, sinner. This is God's message to you, backslider. You may have received his pardon and then have sinned again, and again, till your soul is overwhelmed with sinning; and measuring God by yourself, you may not think he will receive you if you do return. It is a lie of Satan. God delighteth in mercy. Nay, more. He declares by his prophet: “The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his MERCY.” Ps. 147:11. This is assurance doubly sure. He delights in mercy, and he takes pleasure (delights) in those that hope in his mercy. But even more; do you think your returning will be in vain, that the sins tho forgiven will conquer you? It is another suggestion of Satan. Listen again! “He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:19. O soul, take courage! There is help in God. There is eternal victory in him.