In Isaiah 5:7 the Lord refers to his people with what I suggest is one of the most endearing expressions in the entire Bible. We read, “The vineyard of the LORD of Armies is the nation of Israel, and the people of Judah are the garden of his delight.”
How beautiful is that? It seems to speak to what is on God's heart of hearts for us. Once he calls us to himself and we yield to his ownership, he continually seeks us out to be to him a joy, a delightful garden.
What does that mean? Well, he wants to take delight in us first because we listen carefully to him. In a world that by in large is always talking over and even yelling over his appeals, how precious it must be to him to find a receptive listening heart. Being his garden of delight also means being tuned in to what matters to him. Again, think of how the vast majority of people live focused on only what is important to them. And then it means we value him as a person, far above and beyond all that he does for us. It means being able to say to him, “Lord, even if you did nothing for me I would still treasure you as my best friend.”
