Because it Pleases Him

Contemplate the word pleasing for a moment. What pleases you? What gives you delight?  We can be delighted by a sunny day, a pleasant smell, a piece of art or an unexpected gift. The word delight, as defined by Webster, means, "to give great pleasure, to be highly pleased; rejoice."

There are times in scripture where God is delighted. Studying these will reveal a path to pleasing him that we can walk daily. Making him smile with pleasure on our journey should be our ultimate goal.

Read Psalm 135. This Psalm reviews some of the events of the Exodus of the children of Israel. Did you notice a verse that referred to God being pleased? Look back at verse 6.

"Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places."

God created man for his pleasure. He wants to fellowship with his creation daily. He created the earth for our pleasure. From the earth he brings forth all things including the rain, wind, thunder and lightning. These things please the Creator, but they often make the created tremble. We fear because of the separation we have to endure due to sin.

Reading on in Psalm 135, we discover it also pleased God to smite the firstborn of Egypt, both man and beast. This frustrates our concept of a "loving God." Why would he take pleasure in killing the innocent?
To glen an understanding here, we must again remind ourselves who created all things and what was his purpose in doing so. The innocents were sacrificed to deliver a message. First, to the Egyptians of the power of the God of the Hebrews and secondly to the Hebrews themselves. In the event of the Passover, God was painting a picture of his future plans for the redemption of the world. The events of that night were the beginning brush strokes of a master piece.

Continuing on in Psalm 135 we see God taking pleasure in sending the plagues and smiting great nations and kings. Through these events God was adding brush strokes to his art work, demonstrating his power and ability to his people. He was allowing them to learn him. He wanted them to choose to grow and follow him. He gave them the land that was promised to them and it pleased him to judge them and proof them in the process.

Psalm 135:14 "For the Lord will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants."

God manifested his righteousness and mercy by delaying his ultimate judgement on the children of Israel. He took into his favor those who choose to meet his terms and separate themselves unto him.

As we read on in Psalm 135 we see there are references to the created worshipping their own creations. Verses 15-18 remind us that these idols cannot speak, see or hear. Therefore, they cannot be delighted.

Psalm 135:20 "Bless the Lord, O house of Levi: ye that fear the Lord, bless the Lord.

A reverent, worshipful, respect or fear of the Lord pleases him. Just as we can breathe a sigh of delight in a completed task, our Father breathes a sign of delight when we complete a task in love for him, wanting to please him.

I Corinthians 10:31 "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."

Let this be our goal today. Be pleasing, because it pleases him.