GOD’S WORD FOR JULY 1 ~ ~ Psalm 20:7~ ~ “Some praise their chariots and some their horses, But we will praise the name of the Lord, our God.”
Continuing with excerpts from “The Pleasures of God” by John Piper
(We were talking about knowing our humble position before God)
The children of God love to say with Paul, “From him and through him and to him are all things; to him be glory forever and ever” Romans 11:36.
They love to make their boast only in the Lord (1Corinthians 1:31)
They love to say that God is the beginning, middle and end in the affair of salvation, and that they were CHOSEN for the glory of his grace (Ephesians 1:6)
and CALLED from darkness to light to declare the wonders of his grace (1Peter 2:9)
They love to say they’re JUSTIFIED because Christ died to vindicate the holiness of God’s grace (Romans 3:25-26), and will one day be SWALLOWED UP IN LIFE and glory (2 Corinthians 5:4, Romans 8:30.
So for seven chapters we have focused on the pleasures that God has in himself and in the freedom of his work, so that it would be unmistakable that God is the center of the gospel. We have only suggested occasionally the kind of RESPONSE that would bring God pleasure.
But now we are ready. Now we will be able to see why the human responses which God demands and enjoys come as good news to sinners, and yet keep God at the center of his own affections.
If the gospel demands a response from sinners, then the demand itself must be good news instead of an added burden. Otherwise the gospel would not be the gospel. If the true biblical gospel always has God at the center, then the response it demands must magnify him and NOT us.
Now, what kind of response can accomplish both of these things: good news for sinners and glory to God? The answer is given clearly in Psalm 147:10-11
His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his pleasure in the legs of a man;
but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love.
Consider with me first, from verse 11, why God takes pleasure in “those who fear and hope in his love.” Then we will turn to verse 10 and refine our answer by asking why God does NOT delight in “the strength of the horse and the legs of man.”