Saturday · 2026-08-22

I checked the BYU Religious Studies Center (rsc.byu.edu) and the Joseph Smith Papers (josephsmithpapers.org) and found a relevant article from the RSC directly addressing the concept of delighting in God's will as found in Psalms.

This week's Come Follow Me block encourages us to find peace, strength, and enduring joy through meditating on the Lord's law, observing His creations, and trusting in His divine attributes. Our morning intention focuses on actively serving others with a willing heart and trusting in God's strength.

In Psalm 40, David testifies of the Lord's deliverance and declares, "I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart" (Psalm 40:8). Similarly, Psalm 46 offers profound reassurance: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1).

A Religious Studies Center article titled "Thy Will Be Done" discusses the significance of desiring and doing God's will, drawing a direct connection to Psalm 40:8. The article explains that the Hebrew term ra'ah signifies God's pleasure in atoning sacrifices and that Psalm 40, possibly recited in the temple, indicates a delight in fulfilling God's will. This suggests that truly delighting in the Lord's will involves a willing heart, much like a sacrificial offering, where our actions align with divine purposes.

Read the full article here: https://rsc.byu.edu/sperry-symposium-classics-old-testament/thy-will-be-done

Analytical Question: How does understanding the ancient temple context of Psalm 40, as suggested by the article, deepen our appreciation for the concept of "delighting in God's will" and how might that influence our personal acts of service and obedience today?

Reflection Question: Considering today's intention to "seek to delight in the Lord's will by actively serving others with a willing heart, trusting in His strength to guide and sustain us," what specific steps can you take today to align your service more fully with God's will, confident in His promised strength?