In Psalm one hundred and nineteen, verses forty-seven to forty-eight, the psalmist’s delight in and heartfelt love for the Word of God. Joy comes to his heart as he reads and obeys God’s Word. Likewise, when believers read the Bible with an earnest desire to understand and keep Christ’s commandments, the holy Spirit imparts God’s love to our hearts, helps us to discern the truth of God’s Word, and brings us great joy and delight, as in John fifteen, verses ten through eleven.
Delighting in God’s Word develops into an even deeper love for all God’s ways. Because believers have come to love, as in verse one hundred and thirty-two, we love the scriptures that reveal Him and His will to us. As a result, we have been made one with Him, as in Romans six, verse five, and our hearts now have a profound love and devotion for His revealed truth.
Obeying the commandments of Christ is not optional for those who would have eternal life. Obedience to Christ, though never perfect, must nevertheless be genuine. It is essential to saving faith, springing from our love for Him. Without love for Christ, trying to obey His commands becomes legalism. To the person who loves Christ and strives to obey His commands consistently, Christ promises a special love, grace, and His most profound inward presence.
Those who love Jesus and obey His Words will experience the immediate presence and love of the Father and the Son. Both come to believers through the Holy Spirit. However, the Father’s love is conditioned on our loving Jesus and being loyal to His Word. Jesus reveals Himself to the obedient believer through the Holy Spirit, who makes known the personal presence of Jesus in and with the one who loves Him: A believer’s delight.