Nine unusual words caught my attention about King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 17:6. Jehoshaphat took great pride in the ways of the Lord. The Hebrew text reads, “his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord.”
My eyes lit on that phrase and suddenly it seemed as if God were saying, “Yes, I sovereignly placed that phrase in the Scriptures millennia ago so I could speak to you today. Is your heart lifted up–do you take pride– in My ways?”
Well, Lord, I’m not sure that I do. You’re awesome and powerful and compassionate and merciful and kind and loving and good… I serve You, I’m committed to following You, I love You, I honor You, I’m grateful to You, I run to You… But do I “take great pride” in Your ways? Is it evident to everyone with whom I come into contact? Do they say, “There goes Paul–that guy who takes great pride in the Lord’s ways”?
O Lord, cause me to be proud of You–like grandparents are of their grandchildren; like a first-time car owner is of his wheels; like a father is of his high-achieving son or daughter; like a good wife is over her man. Please don’t let duty or obligation or joylessness or boredom mark my devotion to You… Give me a heart that takes great pride in You.