Pleasure

Pleasure

         One of the potential pitfalls of old age and failing health was pinpointed in the ancient book of Ecclesiastes 3000 years ago, "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them." Eccles. 12:1

        What a sad thing! Instead of rejoicing in life and its goodness that God has given you, you take "no pleasure in nothin’!" That’s a problem for the severely depressed person, too. And the devastating loss of a loved one carries the same potential pitfall. One of the great pleasures and joys in life is to share your pleasures and joys with someone you love dearly. And if she or he is taken away from you, much of the beauty and pleasure of life goes with her/him.

       One of the things I rejoice in was my wife’s determination to take pleasure in life even when she was very, very ill. She told me every single day, "This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it!" And we did and we were. And you can be, too, if you stop to think about the things God takes pleasure in and the things He’s given us for us to take pleasure in.

        1. As a starter, God takes pleasure in His works–and we should, too! "The glory of the Lord shall endure for ever: the Lord shall rejoice in his works." Psalm 104:31 And that entire Psalm is filled with examples of the works of God. Be glad and rejoice in them and observe and ponder what God has created and what He does. "Fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word!" Psalm 148:8 Rejoice in the beauty all around you and notice the butterflies in the spring and summer and the birds of the air always and the trees of the forest and the flowers of the field. Take pleasure in them, don’t take them for granted. "The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein." Psalm 111:2

        2. Take pleasure in the simple things of life. The happiness of a child. The kindness of your wife or husband or children. Enjoying a good meal or a cup of tea together. The warmth of a cozy home in the midst of a bleak mid-winter night.

       3. Take pleasure in the daily chores and responsibilities God has given you to make your life meaningful and useful–and pleasureable. It’s good that you have something significant to do, isn’t it?! ^-~)

      4. God, "the living God, giveth us richly all things to enjoy." 1 Tim. 6:17 I’m sure it doesn’t please Him when you don’t take pleasure in what He has provided for your pleasure. Enjoy life in the way and with the guidelines He has given us. Take pleasure in God’s good gifts.

      5. One other example: "The Lord takes pleasure in His people" Psalm 149:4–and we should, too! Invest your life in people and take pleasure in them. They will continue into eternity while all the material things of this life will crumble in the dust or end up on the ash heap.

       When God created the world and the universe, at each stage of creation, in His great wisdom, He said, it is good, but when He created man and then formed woman from man, "God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good." 1:31

       6. You know that Adam and Eve had no problem finding things to take pleasure in! And guess what? God is bringing us to a similar paradise. Take pleasure, take great pleasure as you think of and anticipate the "things God has prepared for them who love Him." 1 Cor. 2:9
       "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." Rev. 2:7

      "They shall be abundantly satisfied with the abundance of your house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures." Psalm 36:8

       "You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11