Enjoying God

“You have made known to me the path of life; You fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.”  Psalm 16:11

The famous Westminster Catechism says, “The chief end of man is to know God and enjoy Him forever.” Pastor and author John Piper offered his take on this famous statement saying, “The chief end of man is to know God by enjoying Him forever.” Piper elsewhere wrote, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” The Ten Commandments themselves display the jealousy of God, Who demands to be worshiped and loved above all else. Many scoff at such a God, thinking Him to be an egomaniac.  Not true!

God’s desire to be known, loved, enjoyed, and exalted is actually proof that He is the one and only true God. After all, what kind of God would He be if there was one better than Him…one more enjoyable or worthy of praise? His demand for supremacy in all things is the most loving thing He does for His creation. It demonstrates that He is infinitely concerned with our well-being. He knows what is best for us…and what is best for us is Him.

Would you characterize most Christians as joyful people? Are the pews full of people who are enjoying God through His Son Jesus? Are our thoughts, conversations, and actions saturated with the goodness of God? If not, why is that?

As God’s chosen people, we must seek to elevate Him in our minds by shifting our attention and affection away from ourselves, and the fading pleasures of this life, to the infinite glory and worth of our God and His Son Jesus Christ. Only then will the lost begin to see His surpassing greatness and glory through our lives. We must stop trading the eternal pleasures at His right hand for the temporary and ultimately unsatisfying pleasures of the here and now.

There is more…so much more.

Holy Father, in You lays my only satisfaction and joy. Please grant me Your grace to say “no” to the passing pleasures of this world so that I can fully enjoy all that You have for me in Jesus. In Jesus’ name, amen.