ROMANS 7:22

“For I joyfully agree with the law of God in the inner person,”

What does it mean to delight in something? For me, it means to find pleasure and contentment. For example, I delight in pleasing my wife, of serving her and living in harmony with her. Do I do that all the time? Not by a long shot, but I do delight in those things. I also find true delight in my grandchildren. Knowing I have a part in their lives brings me such joy and delight.

The word Paul uses here for “joyfully agree” can also be translated as “delight.” The word is only used here in the whole New Testament. It’s the Greek word sunédomai which means to feel satisfaction concerning something. The Topical Lexicon writes, “Romans 7:22 records the lone New Testament occurrence: ‘For in my inner being I delight in God’s law’ (Berean Standard Bible). Here Paul sets the verb in deliberate contrast to the warring ‘law of sin’ in his members (Romans 7:23). The word paints an intimate portrait of the regenerate conscience: despite the tug of indwelling sin, the true self of the believer resounds with joy at the goodness of God’s revealed will.”

APPLICATION

Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the LORD; and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Who doesn’t want that? But in order to receive those “desires of your heart” you must first delight yourself in Him. How do you do that? By spending time with Him so that you will know what your desires should be, not what you want them to be.

I was talking to someone recently about a relationship they are in with someone. This other person has “cast lots” before God to get an answer about the future of their relationship. I explained to my friend that when we do that, we must be prepared to accept the answer He gives and not be disappointed when the answer is not what we wanted. We have to delight in Him first to understand that.

What do you delight in? Family? Friends? Work? Your home? None of those things are bad. We need them all to live a fulfilled and contented life. But we must first delight ourselves in the Lord. Then we will understand true delight. Psalm 35:9 tells it plainly. “Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and delight in his salvation.” That should be our ultimate delight!

Father, I do delight in You and Your precepts.

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