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Why does the Bible command us to delight in a being that is infinitely delightful if we are already Christians? Dr. John Snyder addresses the spiritual aspect of our condition before and after regeneration. Prior to experiencing the new birth, our religious interests may stem from self-centered motives rather than a genuine love for God. However, when God awakens us, opens our eyes, and transforms our hearts, we begin to love what we ought to love and choose Him freely. The new birth brings about significant changes, granting us a new nature where it becomes natural to delight in God. Yet, this delight requires effort and intentionality due to the remnants of our old nature and the fallen world we inhabit. After experiencing the new birth, delighting in God becomes a natural response of our new nature. However, it is not without effort. We must actively stir our hearts, preaching to ourselves and reminding ourselves of God's character and the benefits of knowing Him. Like the psalmist in Psalm 103, we need to consciously direct our affections towards God and not forget His goodness. While our new nature inclines us to delight in God, we must consistently reorient ourselves to Him amidst the distractions and allure of our fallen world. Delighting in God requires intentional focus and a continuous choice to set our affections on Him. Psalm 37:4 (NKJV): "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart."

Why is it important for us to enjoy God in the Christian life? Dr. Joel Beeke highlights three reasons why enjoying God is significant. Firstly, it is our duty. Glorifying God and enjoying Him are intertwined. By lifting Him up and giving Him His rightful due, we experience the delight of being in His presence. Enjoying God is an inseparable part of real life, and it is our responsibility to engage in this joyful communion with Him. Secondly, enjoying God serves as our strength. The joy of the Lord empowers us. As Nehemiah proclaimed, "The joy of the Lord is our strength" (Nehemiah 8:10). When we find delight in the Lord, we become strong in our faith. This strength enables us to face various challenges, including afflictions, criticisms, and difficult times. The joy derived from our relationship with God, nurtured through His Word, gives us the resilience to overcome the obstacles we encounter. Lastly, enjoying God in holiness is not only our duty and strength but also our future. Without holiness, no one will see the Lord. Our enjoyment of God in a holy manner aligns with the purpose of heaven. It prepares us to meet God and be clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Our lives on Earth serve as a preparation for that great day when we will stand before Him. This perspective underscores the critical nature of enjoying God in holiness. Psalm 37:4 resonates with the theme of delighting in the Lord: "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart."

How can we maintain faith and trust in Christ even when our hearts feel dull and cold? Tom Ascol reminds us of the nature of the Christian life, which is to live by faith and not by sight. When our hearts feel heavy or cold, it is important to remember that Jesus Christ remains the same, unchanging in His beauty and goodness. Our ability to perceive and lay hold of the beauties of Christ may fluctuate, but by faith, we trust that they are always present. Even in seasons where we may not sense God's presence, faith calls us to acknowledge His presence and to continue seeking Him through reading His Word and prayer. Living a life of faith means not allowing our emotions and affections to dictate our relationship with God, but rather relying on His unchanging nature and promises. In the midst of feeling spiritually dry or distant, it is essential to trust in God's Word and His faithfulness. Our duty, as Jonathan Edwards taught, is to elevate our affections and passion for God to the highest level possible, as long as they are grounded in the truth revealed in Jesus Christ. We should never settle for a cold heart toward God but actively seek to ignite our love and devotion to Him through faith. It is through trusting God's promises and seeking Him diligently that our hearts can be reignited and our faith strengthened. Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV) encapsulates the unchanging nature of Jesus Christ and the foundation of our faith: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."

What is the true nature of heaven and what brings joy in that eternal realm? Robert McCurley explains that Heaven is not simply a place where earthly desires are fulfilled without sin. Rather, it is characterized by the sight of the glory of God, which produces deep joy. In Heaven, believers will have resurrected bodies and be free from sin, and their enjoyment of God will be intimately connected to their knowledge of Him. Since God is infinite and we are finite, there will be an ongoing revelation of God's glory and knowledge throughout eternity. This ever-expanding disclosure of God's glory will result in increasing joy for the believer. The fullness of joy in heaven is tied to the progressive and eternal revelation of God's glory and knowledge. To fully enjoy the Lord, the Christian's path is to seek a deeper knowledge of God, to see Him, know Him, love Him, and delight in Him more fully. The prayer of Moses to see God's glory, the longing of David to behold the beauty of the Lord, and the passion of Paul to know Christ and the power of His resurrection exemplify the heart's desire of every believer. As Christians, we should prioritize seeking a deeper relationship with God, desiring to know Him more intimately and experience the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus. This pursuit of God's glory and knowledge becomes the source of true joy and fulfillment in the Christian life. Psalm 16:11 (NKJV) beautifully captures the essence of heavenly joy and delight in the presence of God: "You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

What can we learn about the glory of God? In this video, Brian Borgman discusses the Hebrew word for glory, "kavod," which means heaviness or weightiness. He explains that the glory of God is the very intrinsic nature of who God is. It is the essence of His being and is present in each member of the Holy Trinity. This heaviness or weightiness signifies the significance and majesty of God's character and attributes. Moreover, Borgman emphasizes that God's glory is not just an abstract concept, but it is manifested through His perfections, works, and deeds. It is through these visible expressions that God's glory shines forth and becomes evident to His creation. God's glory is not limited to His own nature but extends to the marvelous acts He performs and the magnificent works He accomplishes. Understanding the weightiness and intrinsic nature of God's glory compels us to recognize His unrivaled splendor and honor. It invites us to marvel at His greatness and stand in awe of His majestic presence. Recognizing and embracing the glory of God can transform our perspective and draw us closer to Him, as we acknowledge His supremacy and respond in reverence and worship. Psalm 96:3 (NKJV) beautifully captures this concept: "Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples."

What does it mean to glorify God and enjoy Him forever and how can we practically live out this purpose? In this video, Dr. John Snyder explores the concept of the chief end of man. He explains that the word "chief" in this context refers to the ultimate goal of man, while recognizing that there may be subordinate goals that lead to that ultimate goal. These subordinate goals are the steps or actions we take to reach the ultimate goal. Dr. Snyder uses the example of going to the grocery store to get food and eventually have a meal. While the act of going to the store and cooking the food are subordinate goals, the ultimate goal is to enjoy the meal. Similarly, in all aspects of our lives, we need to identify and understand the ultimate goal, which the Puritans believed was to glorify God. This means that everything we do, whether it's mundane or significant, should be done with the purpose of bringing glory to God. Practically living out the chief end of glorifying God and enjoying Him forever involves aligning our hearts, minds, and actions with God's purposes. It requires seeking His glory in all that we do, whether it's in our relationships, work, or personal pursuits. It also involves finding joy and satisfaction in our relationship with God, delighting in His presence, and experiencing the fulfillment that comes from knowing Him deeply. Psalm 86:12 (NKJV) beautifully captures the essence of this idea: "I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify Your name forever."

Why is it important for both believers and unbelievers to have a sense of purpose and meaning in life and how does understanding that our chief end is to glorify God shape our perspective on life? Dr. Joel Beeke emphasizes the universal desire for meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in life. Whether believers or unbelievers, we all long to understand why we exist and what our lives are ultimately about. He points to the question posed by the Westminster Shorter Catechism: What is the chief end of man? The answer lies in recognizing that we are created in the image of God and that our primary purpose is to glorify Him. This perspective shifts the focus away from ourselves and redirects it towards God and His glory. Life, according to Dr. Beeke, is not about our own agendas but about orienting our entire existence towards God and living in a way that brings Him honor. Our lives should be oriented towards God's presence and every aspect of our existence should be directed towards honoring and glorifying Him. Living in the face of God involves a continual awareness of His presence and a conscious effort to align our thoughts, actions, and motivations with His will. Romans 11:36 (NKJV) encapsulates this idea of living for the glory of God: "For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen."

What should be our chief end, the driving force behind our actions and beliefs? In this video, Scott Aniol emphasizes the importance of considering our chief end, the ultimate goal or purpose that drives us. While it is crucial to have correct theology and knowledge of biblical truth, simply knowing the right things is not enough to compel us to live according to that knowledge. Aniol argues that our chief end should be the glory of God, and this should shape and cultivate our desires, actions, and motivations. He contrasts this with the default chief end influenced by the pagan culture, which often revolves around self-gratification and selfishness. Aniol highlights the need for Christians to carefully consider their chief end and intentionally cultivate a biblically-driven one centered on the glory of God. He encourages believers to immerse themselves in the Scriptures, filling their minds and hearts with a deep understanding and delight in who God is and how they ought to live to glorify Him. Our chief end should shape our perception of flourishing, prosperity, and happiness, influencing the way we live and act in the world. 1 Corinthians 10:31 captures the essence of our chief end: "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

What is the proper definition of the glory of God as revealed in Scripture? In this video, Sam Waldron discusses the definition of the glory of God based on Scripture. He highlights the importance of understanding the glory of God as the outward manifestation of His inward excellence. This definition emphasizes that God's glory is revealed through visible manifestations and serves as a revelation of His character. Waldron draws a parallel to how a woman can be seen as the glory of a man, representing an outward manifestation of his inward excellence. The glory of God, therefore, pertains to the visible and revealed expression of His excellence. The concept of the glory of God extends in various directions within Scripture. The Son of God is described as the radiance of the glory of the Father, further emphasizing the idea of an outward manifestation. Waldron likens the glory of God to the rays of the sun, with the sun itself representing God and its rays representing the visible and revealed manifestation of His glory. Thus, when discussing the glory of God, it encompasses that which is manifest, clear, seen, visible, and revealed. Hebrews 1:3 (NKJV) beautifully captures the radiance of God's glory in the person of Jesus Christ: "who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high."

What is the relationship between the glory of God and His revelation to His creation? In this video, Tom Ascol explores the concept of God's glory and its manifestation in His truth and revelation to His creation. He likens it to a child's perspective of their mother, where the child sees and loves everything that makes their mother who she is—her motherness or motherhood. Similarly, the glory of God encompasses everything that is in God and is revealed through His words and actions. God's glory is evident in various aspects of creation. The beauty and grandeur of the heavens, with the sun, moon, and stars declare the glory of God. The created world reflects His glory and magnificence. Additionally, God's glory will be fully recognized and experienced by all of creation when He sends the Lord Jesus back to restore and reconcile all things. As creatures made in His image, we have the capacity to recognize and appreciate the glory of God, finding both amazement and joy in His manifestation. Psalm 19:1 (NKJV) echoes the declaration of God's glory in creation: "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork."

What is the distinction between the glory of God and our glorifying God? In this video, Robert McCurley clarifies the difference between the glory of God and our role in glorifying Him. The glory of God encompasses the fullness of His divine perfections and attributes, which He graciously reveals and manifests to His creation, including angels and humans. It is a summation of who God is in His infinite excellence. On the other hand, our glorifying God does not add anything to His glory. We do not possess the ability to enhance His infinite excellency. Instead, our role is to manifest and display His glory to others through our actions, attitudes, and the fruit of the Spirit evident in our lives. When we talk about glorifying God, it is not about contributing to His glory but rather reflecting His glory to the world. Our lives serve as a testimony, pointing others to the greatness and goodness of God. Through our obedience, love, and the manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit, we demonstrate the transformative power of God's grace in our lives. By living in accordance with His Word and being conformed to the image of Christ, we participate in the process of glorifying God, making His glory known to those around us. Romans 15:6 (NKJV) encapsulates the essence of glorifying God: "that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Have you ever wondered if it's possible to be a believer and not truly enjoy God? In this video, Brian Borgman addresses the notion of believers who may temporarily lose sight of the joy found in God and become ensnared in the pursuit of sin. He refers to biblical examples such as David and Peter, who experienced moments of backsliding. Borgman emphasizes that when a Christian seeks pleasure in sin, they ultimately discover that it cannot satisfy the deep longing within them. Instead, they realize that the sin they pursued is like ill-fitting clothes that leave them feeling empty and unsatisfied. This realization serves as a painful reminder that they are missing out on something far greater—fellowship with God. However, Borgman cautions that a person who can abandon God and pursue worldly pleasures without feeling the pain of their separation from Him is in a perilous position. Such a lack of conviction may indicate a lack of genuine conversion. Yet, for those who have been truly regenerated, God lovingly intervenes to rescue His backsliding children. Sometimes, God employs warnings of discipline, judgment, or the consequences of sin to draw them back. Other times, He reminds them of His kindness and goodness, allowing them to taste and see that the Lord is indeed good. Through both discipline and kindness, God works to restore His children's fellowship and joy in Him. Psalm 34:8 (NKJV) beautifully captures the invitation to taste and experience the goodness of the Lord: "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!"