Often, in Scripture, it takes but a few words to cause you to pause and reflect . . . and, at least in your heart, go facedown. I’ve read a lot of words this morning . . . a good chunk in 2Chronicles concerning King Hezekiah’s reforms and King Manasseh’s repentance and, in Luke, some of Jesus’ teaching on being ready and watchful and responsible for the light God has revealed to you . . . all impactful stuff in it’s own right. But then I wrapped up my readings with Psalm 149 . . . and that’s what has touched me afresh this morning.

Not going to lie to you, I love these last Psalms that call His people to “Praise the Lord!” In the first 3 verses of Psalm 149 I’m encouraged to sing a new song (kind of justifies my iTunes habit, I think) . . . to praise in the assembly of the saints (it’s a communal activity, amen?) . . . to rejoice in my Maker and be joyful in the King . . . to praise Him with dance (disco or salsa?) . . . and to do all this with a band leading the way (I’m sure it’s a country or bluegrass group he has in mind). I’m in (well, the dance part’s gonna be tough on me). But then I come across those few words that kind of say, “Stop and chew on this.”

“For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation.” – Psalm 149:4

And I can’t help but personalize it . . . the LORD takes pleasure in me . . . and beautifies me with salvation. Not that there’s any boasting . . . ’cause there’s nothing, except for the cross, to boast in or about . . . that’s what causes you to pause and reflect and be amazed. He doesn’t take pleasure in me because I’m so great, but because He’s so great. He beautifies me not because I’m already such a good-looker but because I was once leprous with sin and dressed in filthy rags and in need of rescue. Enter salvation . . . start Pete’s extreme makeover . . . beauty infused at the hand of God. How do you process it?

God takes pleasure in me. He delights that I am His child even though I was once in rebellion. He’s glad to have me as one of His own though I was once a stranger and determined to go it on my own. He is pleased to see one of His creation who once was dead, now alive . . . one of His making who once walked in darkness now stumbling along trying to be faithful to the way of light. And I think this deep seated delight and pleasure is in big part because when He sees me, He see not what I used to be, but He sees Jesus.

He looks upon His people and sees their Savior, His precious beloved Son. He hears our praise and He delights in the fruit of work of the cross. He sees us, feebly at times, trying to be faithful followers . . . desiring to seek first the kingdom . . . striving to be consistent with our calling . . . and has a deep sense of satisfaction and completion knowing that blood of Jesus cleanses from all sin and is fully capable of providing the once for all time atonement for transgression. Not that He ever had any doubts as to it’s sufficiency . . . but, despite our goofs up and trip ups and struggles, I imagine God looking down and saying, “Yes! That’s the salvation that my Son died for . . . isn’t it beautiful?”

Oh, to be an object of God’s pleasure. To be beautified and adorned with garments of salvation. What grace! What blessing! What more reason do I need to heed the Psalmists cry to “Praise the Lord!” None.

He has started the work . . . He will finish the work . . . He takes pleasure in the work. Oh, that the work would bring Him glory . . .

Praise the Lord!