Delight, a Dicey Word

Hi, friends!

I’m one of those folks who choose a focus word for a new year. Then I sit with it, turn it over and around as if it were dice with magic numbers on it. I had been chatting with God about my transformational word for 2022 but by the last week of December, I still had nothing.

While reading Magnolia Journal on December 29, 2021, I gazed to the page of an article, “let delight reign,” written by Joanna Gaines. That’s when I laid eyes on the right word for me. Yes, I knew at first sight my word for 2022 was

Delight! While reading Magnolia Journal on December 29, 2021, I gazed to the page of an article, “let delight reign,” written by Joanna Gaines. That’s when I laid eyes on the right word for me. Yes, I knew at first sight my word for 2022 was delight!”

A word I normally associate with a child. I pictured a wide-eyed, jaw dropping reaction to something that inspired wonder and awe in a little one.

When I receive a word for the new year, one of the first things I do is to see what God has to say about it in His Word.

Delight in the Word of the Lord. Psalm 1:1-2
Take delight in the Lord. Psalm 37:4
Delight in the great works of the Lord. Psalm 111:2-8
Delight in the Lord’s decrees, His Word. Psalm 119:16
Delight in the counsel of the Lord’s testimonies. Psalm 119 24
Delight is found in His [the Lord’s] presence. Proverbs 8:30
Delight greatly in the Lord, in response to His unfathomable blessings. Isaiah 61:10
For Christ’s sake, delight in weakness and difficulty. 2 Corinthians 12:10
The Lord delights in His people. Psalm 149:4

Did you have any idea so many Bible verses featured the word delight? And those listed are only a sampling.

As I look at what Scripture says about my word, I also search for definitions.

For delight: Take pleasure in. Find joy in. Gain satisfaction in. Experience wonder and awe. Please greatly.

The Hebrew term hepes means to bend towards, to be inclined towards an object or a person.

So you and I are to. . .

Take pleasure in the Lord’s presence.
Find joy in the Lord’s salvation and in His ways.
Lean into our weaknesses.
Incline ourselves toward the Lord’s counsel.
Continue being and becoming someone the Lord delights in.

Why do I consider delight a dicey word? My word for a year packs purpose so it doesn’t show up alone. Unwrapping the word and digging into what Scripture has to say about delight always reveals a question. Usually many questions. A soul-searching inventory and investigation follows.

What does it look like to delight in the Lord?

Toward what or whom are you leaning into the most?

Are you viewing your weakness/overwhelmedness as an invitation to incline yourself toward the Lord?

What inside you (not on your activity list) is delighting the Lord?

I delight in and find joy in the Lord’s presence, in His salvation, in discovering what truth-treasures He gifted me with in the Bible. The Lord and fellowship with Him is my happy place. Remember that, Mona. Remember!

Father God, Your unfailing love and compassion, mercy and grace, forgiveness and restoration delight us. Help us to remember. Help us to run to You always with childlike faith and delight. In Jesus’ name and for His sake. Amen! 

I’m curious. . .  Did you choose a focus word for 2022? If so, what was the word and what’s been your experience with it? I love to hear from you in the comments.