As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight. (Psalm 16:3)
I don’t know about you, but I’m not sure most of us would have written this line that came from the pen of David. In our arrogance and selfishness we can be tempted (well, I would never think any of these things of course, but some might be tempted) to think more along these lines at times:
As for the saints in the church, they are the….
- Quirky and strange ones not at all like me who has the perfectly normal personality
- Weak ones who just keep struggling with sin over and over again (unlike me who walks in instant and complete victory at all times)
- Discouraged ones whose kids have problems (they must be doing something wrong)
- Misguided ones who think differently than me (if everyone thought like me the world would be perfect)
- Proud ones who I don’t want to be around because I’m so stinkin’ humble
- Selfish ones who never reach out to me (why do I always have to reach out to them?)
- Talkative ones who don’t seem to want to listen to the pearls of wisdom that fall from my lips
- Immature ones I have to keep repeating the same things to over and over (unlike me who hears once and, bingo, got it!)
- Offended and quarrelling ones I have to try make peace between (Come on people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together, try and love one another right now – Right on, Youngbloods)
- Ones with lots of problems who seem to always need me when I want to watch TV
Not only did David see the saints as the excellent ones in whom was all his delight, but that’s how God sees us in Christ. Because of Christ’s work, our Father looks upon each and every saint with deep love, affection and delight.
We too should look upon our fellow believers with this same affection and delight. But since we’re so weak, we can’t do this in our own strength. We need Christ’s almighty power.
Let this be our prayer: Lord Jesus, please give me your own affection for every saint I know. Let me be able to say of EVERY saint, As for THAT saint in my church, he or she is an excellent one, in whom is all my delight.
