His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior; the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. – Psalm 147:10-11

Today's Scripture Reading (September 9, 2022): Psalm 147

I own a 1983 Mustang Convertible with a 4-speed manual transmission and a 5.0-liter engine. It is a powerful vehicle, and it is fun to drive. It was a gift from a friend, but there is nothing more fun on a hot summer day than jumping in the car, putting the top down, and going for a ride. There is something about letting the wind blow through your hair to cool you off as the summer heat rages. I know, I am a guy, and guys often think powerful cars are enjoyable. I live in redneck country, and maybe the male need for power and the love of a noisy vehicle is partially why electric cars seem to have had a harder time getting established in the area over the traditional gas-powered sports cars.

In ancient times, long before the car Mustang existed, there was another mustang, and it was a horse. The mustang was a Spanish horse that was brought to the Americas. It is usually considered a feral horse, a free-roaming horse that is a descendant of domesticated horses. The mustang is known as a sure-footed horse that has good endurance in the field. In other words, it is a strong horse in many ways. And often, for those who own a mustang, they are the pride of the owner.

The Psalmist says that God does not take pleasure in the strength of a horse or even in the power of a car. He does not take pride in the strength of a warrior's legs that can carry the man into battle and then back home again. He created both the horse and the man, and the Psalmist considers these things the height of God's creation. No doubt, the Psalmist marvels at the horse's strength and a warrior's endurance, but those things didn't top God's list of marvelous things.

For God, what is marvelous is when his rebellious creation decides to treat him with reverence and trust and those who choose to hope in God's mercy and his unfailing love. God knows that that is not an easy thing for his wayward creation. What is easy is to treat others, including God, with suspicion, believing that he is selfish, only wanting his way. We seem to think that no one loves us the way we deserve to be loved, so it is up to us to find our own paths home. But God never delights when we take the easy route; rather, he is edified when we decide to go beyond the easy and find the more difficult path to take in this life.

But what pleases God even more, is when we decide not only to trust God and hope in his unfailing love but when we also choose to reflect that attitude towards others. When we not only trust in an unfailing God but become people in whom others can place their trust or when we not only hope in God's unfailing love but a community who shares that love and hope with others around us, God is pleased. And in a community like this, God easily finds his delight.

Today's Scripture Reading: Psalm 148