My daughter has been taking a course at college which has her pretty jazzed. Last night at the dinner table, as she’s done on a number of occasions before, she was relating to us different things she had learned that day about the mysteries of the ocean and the creatures that inhabit it. And it was more than just regurgitating a bunch of facts . . . no, as she spoke, you could hear an excitement in her voice and could see in her face the wonder and fascination her learning evoked. You can tell that this is more than just another class . . . more than just coursework to be completed in support of a GPA . . . this is something that she’s enjoying learning . . . the discovery bringing a certain delight . . . the more she learns, the more she wants to know. The Psalmist knew the same experience . . .

“The works of the LORD are great, studied by all who have pleasure in them.” (Psalm 111:2)

Or, as Peterson puts it in The Message, “GOD’s works are so great, worth a lifetime of study–endless enjoyment!”

The works of God . . . from creation . . . to salvation . . . to eternal glorification. The “levels of study” surrounding the subject of the works of God are extensive . . . so extensive, once you enroll you have a lifetime curriculum before you . . . and that’s the just the “entry level” stuff . . . the subject matter is such that it can, and will, be explored for eternity . . . never ceasing to bring joy to the learner. Talk about enjoyable coursework!

When, by God’s grace and the Spirit’s work, the “material” goes from being studied as a “discipline” to being studied as a source of delight . . . when it becomes more than just “facts and data” and, instead, feeds the inner man and energizes the soul . . . when it isn’t just the “old, old, story” but it becomes the words of life . . . then, that’s when it starts getting pretty exciting . . . and kinda’ fun!

The ocean my daughter is so fascinated with is the work of God. The wonders of their depths were designed and architected by His creative power. But they are only “a teaser” . . . pointing to a greater set of works accomplished on behalf of men with eternal consequences. The Psalmist goes on to declare, “His work is honorable and glorious, and His righteousness endures forever . . . He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; The Lord is gracious and full of compassion . . . The works of His hands are verity and justice . . . He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever: Holy and awesome is His name” (Ps. 111:3,4,7,9).

You study the works of God and you can’t help but get a bit jazzed. You meditate on His wonders and it’s not long before joy starts to surface. You consider again and again His acts on behalf of men . . . recognizing the grace shown, not just to all men and women but to you specifically, and the delight-o-meter starts to go crazy. This is a form of pleasure-seeking that is God ordained, God fed, and God glorifying.

The works of God are great . . . from the wonders of the ocean’s operation and the life it sustains to the grace shown at Calvary where Jesus exchanged His life for ours. The works of God are great . . . from the mysteries of the universe to the mystery of God’s Spirit working in us to make us more like His Son. The works of God are great . . . from the sustaining power of His grace through trial and testing to the place He is, even now, preparing for us — a place where sorrow, tears, and death are no more.

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit” (1Cor. 2:9-10a). That’s our coursework . . . that’s our subject of study . . . that’s our “major.” And when we pursue it? . . . Delight . . . Enjoyment . . . Pleasure . . . so much to talk about and glory in around the dinner table.