God delights in me. I know that to be true.
Most days.
On a head-level, yes. On a heart-level, sometimes.
In this world where we’re often second-guessing ourselves, being measured up to others (sometimes thanks to our own doing), it’s hard to remember this truth: God delights in you!
I’ve been amazed at some of the ways God has reinforced this in my mind.
To begin with you should know that I love a good book. Better yet, I love books that remind me of God’s truths.
Over the past few months, three of my recent reads seemed to come together to share a powerful and personal message:
I am okay.
And God delights in me.
These three books have touched my heart, prompted a tear (or two) and encouraged me to dig deep in my soul.
It’s as if God conspired through these books to reassure me of His love.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase I may get a commission.
Three Books that Whispered: God Delights in Me
Whispers of Rest
By Bonnie Gray
If there’s one thing I’m not known for, is slowing down or taking things easy for that matter. Just yesterday, my sister reminded me of my intense focus. When I commit to something, I’m all in, which means sometimes I can go none-stop. So, you could see why a book about REST was a real God-send.
While, it’s a 40-day devotional book, I really took my time going through this one. I relished my time in the mornings. Me, a cup of coffee, my journal, Bible and Whispers of Rest.
And can I be real with you?
Just about every morning I cried. I know, I’m a real sap. But it was as if God was really whispering to me and he was saying, ‘It’s okay, Marva, you can slow down and find your rest in me.’ He knew I needed that.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake. – Psalm 23:1-3 NIV
You know there are some books you read and then pass on to a friend. While I’ve been telling my friends about Whispers of Rest, I won’t be passing this one along. I’ve written notes, underlined, starred and generally loved on this book.
Read what the publisher and other readers have to say about Whispers of Rest here.
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The Dream of You
By Jo Saxton
Quote:
“Sister, you may not feel brave or strong, but the fact that you are engaging with some of the deepest parts of you, that you are attending to the broken fragments of your life, points to the truth of your strength and tenacity.
Also, never forget that you are not alone. You have a covenant Partner who sees you and fights for you. It’s not who you are that makes you a giant-killer, it’s whose you are. Now you are a force to be reckoned with.”
– Jo Saxton
You are a force to be reckoned with.
Not because you’re standing strong in your own accomplishments, skills and power, but because of God’s power at work in your life. Now, that’s powerful.
Read what the publisher and others have to say about The Dream of You here.
She’s Still There
By Chrystal Evans Hurst
I just love, love, love Chrystal’s conversational style which is so evident in this book. Reading She’s Still There is like sitting on the other side of the coffee table with her, with notebook in hand. From the very beginning she’s real about her struggles, doubts and shortcomings. How could you not love that? In a very real way it reminded me that my story is not over. Far from it. Because God delights in me.
No matter how much I’ve messed up. No matter what I’ve left undone. He still delights in me.
Read what the publisher and others have to say about She’s Still There here.
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
your walls are ever before me. Isaiah 49:16 NIV
I’ve already been encouraged by the way God pursues me, now being reminded of how much He delights in me, is like icing on the cake.
How about you?
Have you embraced the truth that God delights in you? How has your life been transformed because of it? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
By the way, I’d also love to hear about books you’ve read which reminded you that God delights in you.
Wishing you blessings,
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Disclosure
I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. If you wish to purchase any of the books mentioned above, clicking on the book image will take you directly to Amazon. If you decide to buy, I’ll make a small commission at no extra cost to you.
As noted earlier, I was a member of the launch team for both She’s Still There and The Dream of You. I also received an advance copy of The Dream of You. Opinions are all my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more details.
Photo credit: Depositphotos
Dear Mara,
I am stumbled at your website seeing ” God delights in me ”
I recently got super excited reading Proverbs 15:8 God delights in the prayers of the upright.
wow isn’t that awesome to know God takes delight in me .. take pleasure in me?
So God can take the same pleasure in upright prayer. “Upright Prayer”So I studied Upright.
# Characteristics of upright Man
# Rewards of upright Man
# Upright Man in Bible.
I am not sure how I can attach my notes here. I will type and add here later.
I delight in the Lord.. Knowing God delights in me is so exciting to me! Its so good to how you are reaching out to so many women !! I praise god for you!
Thank you for this reminder, and for these book recommendations. I’ll be looking for these titles and adding them to my summer reading list 🙂
Marva, hi! I’m so grateful for God’s delightful love. He keeps on pursuing us, doesn’t He. And thanks for these books you’ve shared. I’m a big Jo Saxton fan, so this is something I’ll be looking into.
So very good to meet you as I’ve wandered around Holley’s this morning. Bless you …
It can be a hard thing to believe that God delights in me, especially when I’m disappointed or don’t delight in myself right now!!! But God’s truths are there for a reason, not to be argued with or refuted by my doubts and struggles, but to be embraced and held onto tightly. Thanks for sharing xx
I am always here for a good book rec. Thank you, Marva. visiting today from the fresh market friday link up. laurensparks.net
Dear Marva,
All these books sound so good! I had the privilege of being at a conference where I heard Chrystal speak. She is phenomenal! I’ve got so many books I’m trying to finish, though, so I’d better wait before adding more. lol Blessings to you! I’m your neighbor at #FaithOnFire this week!
I know what you mean about having a few too many good books, Gayl. Especially in this space when our friends come out with new books we want to run and support them.
It must have been amazing to hear Chrystal. I’ll look forward to that one day.
Hope you enjoy the long weekend.
Marva, I’m so excited to pick up these books. I have seen Whispers of Rest but the other two are new to me. Remembering that God delights in ME is so hard. I can get stuck thinking of an “US” mentality and forget that He loves and delights in me, personally. Great post, thank you for this!
Marva, these sound like an excellent collection of books!! The Lord truly does delight in us, doesn’t He? And He likes to make sure we KNOW it!! So thankful! 🙂
Thank you Marva, for those encouraging reviews. I was called into a time of “being” 13 years ago by the Lord, but kept “doing” ….not out of disobedience but rather not knowing how too…then I got ill,very ill, I have now been in a chronic ill health time of being for 12 years…
I am humbly learning that this time of being is a blessing & a gift in Him & that even the challenges of chronic conditions are a gift wrapped in different paper, when you look at it from the right perception!
As I am a doer, I commit & go for it, I work hard & will complete that which has been given to me to do!
But God was calling me into a time of stillness & rest, a time of being…I couldn’t quite “be in the being”…
Now I am enjoying being with Him…yes, these conditions are definitely blessings disguised as chronic conditions. Rest & be still my friend…enjoy being with Him!
Remember you’re always welcome to drop by for a cuppa!
Jennifer
Jennifer, your words spoke to me deeply. I’ve come a long way but you reminded me through your example, that I still have a far way to go. I was just agreeing with Lois in another comment that God speaks to us in ways that we don’t miss the message. The only thing is sometimes we don’t heed it. And I much as I’ve accepted His call to REST, sometimes I just don’t know how.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us so that we can be inspired to have a godly perspective whatever season God puts us in.
Blessings, and yes, I think I’d like that cuppa. 🙂
These all sound like great books, Marva. I’m glad God used them to affirm to you that He delights in you … don’t you just love it when He uses multiple sources to confirm something He is trying to tell you? 🙂 Isaiah 49:16 is one of my favorite verses, too.
Yes, Lois, I love how God speaks to us in ways that we don’t miss the message!
Blessings to you!
You know, I don’t think about this topic very much, so thank you for bringing it to my attention! It’s nice to know that God delights in me—even when I mess up, stumble, and fall. I delight in my children, no matter how much they mess up—so it stands to reason that God feels the same way about me—only more!
So true, Anita. He delights in you so much more than you delight in your children. His love for us is incomprehensible and I’m convinced that He takes great delight in us — in you, dear friend!
Wishing you blessings.
These all sound like books I would enjoy. Like you said, knowing and remembering that God delights in us are two different things. This is a concept I forget, sometimes.
I have been reading “An Imperfect Woman,” with a friend and finding it good.
Yes, Theresa, sometimes my head and my heart don’t always connect so I’m glad when God steps in. 🙂
Thanks for recommending An Imperfect Woman — I’m always on the prowl for a good book.
Blessings to you!
Great encouragement here, Marv! I’m still reading She’s Still There; I’ve been going rather slowly with it. Probably because God knows I need to sit in that thought for a while🙂. ‘God delights in me’ – such amazing news! Thanks, Marv!
It’s kinda nice to just savour it, Carlie. God will speak what He needs you to hear in His time, in His own way.
I’m so happy to be on this delightful journey with you!
Blessings, my sister.