12/17/2021
Are we pleasing our Father? Do we do the will of God, and obey His commandments? These are the things that bring Him pleasure. Obeying them always describes the life of Jesus Christ, because if nothing else, He was forever an obedient Son. God is with us always, but for us to be actively engaged with Him we should do just as Jesus did… do the things that please God our Father.
“And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.””
John 8:29 ESV
When I was growing up in my father’s house I was given certain tasks to do, and was taught to behave in acceptable ways. I might be told to mow the grass, take out the garbage, or to do any number of things, and I was told to always behave honorably by telling the truth, resisting the temptation to disobey with courage, defend my siblings fearlessly, or more simply put… to obey my parents and what they had taught me. Jesus obeyed His Father in much the same way, and it pleases Him.
“And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.””
Matthew 3:16-17 ESV
When my earthly father was pleased with me, and expressed that pleasure, there was nothing that thrilled me more. My heart would swell within me, and all I wanted to do was to please him more. And in those moments he would elevate me within the household by giving me increased authority, and more responsibility… “look after your brothers and sisters; they are your responsibility now”, or any number of other things. This was also true of Jesus… listen as God reinforces His authority over the disciples…
“And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.””
Matthew 17:4-5 ESV
There is another thing that comes from being obedient, and this is that we not only experience God’s love, which even sinners do… (remember that God loved us while we were yet sinners) we develop a deep and abiding relationship with Him. We begin to walk with God like scripture tells us specifically that Enoch, Noah, and Levi, did.
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Micah 6:8 ESV
So, as I pleased my earthly father more he took me places with him, he spoke to me as a man rather than a child, and he began to hold me to the same high standard that he held himself. This is exactly what God does with us when we are His children, and when our relationship with Him grows… when He is pleased with us.
“You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 5:48 ESV
Are we pleasing our Heavenly Father?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your love, commandments, and all the lessons in character that you teach us so that we might please you, and walk in relationship with you. Thank you for every increase in responsibility, and authority, that you give us by your pleasure, but thank you most for the ever increasing, and deeply seated, relationship we have with you, and for making us more like you the further we walk together. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God, our Father, who raises us to be perfect, and pleasing to yourself. Praised be your name for every smile, and good word you speak to us. Merciful are you to hear our prayers of contrition, and to no longer remember our transgressions. Your grace is sufficient for us, and it is you that has called us to yourself, and is leading us in belief, and faith, to please you always. Wash us every minute of every day in the blood of Christ, and be pleased in us as you were in Him as He was lifted from the waters of baptism. Call us worthy, say that we are your beloved children, and pronounce that we are pleasing to you. Welcome us, being perfected in Christ, to sit at your table, and walk with you forevermore.
Rich Forbes