February 20, 2024

February 20: Heavenly Happiness.

Those Who Do His Will See His Love.
For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation, let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds.--Psalm 149:4, 5, ESV

THE CLOSEST RELATIONSHIP exists between God and His people.  Not only are we objects of His sparing mercy, His pardoning love; we are more than this.  The Lord rejoices over His people.  He delights in them.  He is their surety.  He will beautify all who are serving Him with a whole heart with the spirit of holiness.  He clothes them with righteousness.  He loves those who do His will, who express His image.--Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 414.

He is acquainted with everyone connected with His service.  He knows those whose hearts He can fill with the holy oil, that they may impart it to others.  Those who faithfully carry forward the work of Christ in our world, representing in word and works the character of God, fulfilling the Lord's purpose for them, are in His sight very precious.  Christ takes pleasure in them as a man takes pleasure in a well-kept garden and the fragrance of the flowers he has planted.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, 418.

          To the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly,
               their faith is credited as righteousness.  David says the same thing
                       when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom
                                God credits righteousness apart from works:
                                       "Blessed are those
                                           whose transgressions are forgiven,
                                            whose sins are covered.
                                       Blessed is the one
                                             whose sin the Lord will never count against them."
                              
                                                                 --Romans 4:5-8, NIV