Focus: The Pleasure of God

Text: Isa.46:10

"My counsel shall stand, and I WILL DO ALL MY PLEASURE."

God has pleasures to fulfill - things He delights in. God feels good about certain things and is committed to realizing them. Isaiah says concerning Christ, that "the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand" (Isa.53:10). Jesus came to earth to execute the Father's pleasure, and that pleasure happens to be our salvation. God takes pleasure in saving us, and what a cheering news for our souls!

What does the Scripture say about God's pleasure?

The psalmist declares, "The LORD taketh pleasure in HIS PEOPLE" (Ps.149:4). God takes pleasure in you. He feels good about you. God feels on top of the world just beholding His own - the redeemed of the Lord.

Again, the psalmist declares, "The LORD taketh pleasure in them that FEAR him, in those that HOPE in his mercy" (Ps.147:11). Do you fear God and hope in His mercy? Then be assured that God finds pleasure in you.

In 1Chron.29:17, David says that God takes "pleasure in UPRIGHTNESS." He delights in people who respect and revere Him, who live and do uprightly, and who hope in His covenant love - His mercy.

The psalmist also says, "Let the LORD be magnified which hath pleasure in the PROSPERITY of his SERVANT" (Ps.35:27). God takes pleasure in your prosperity, that is, if you are His servant. God is not a sadist, who takes delight in your pains and perils. He loves to see you living and doing well.

Listen to Jesus speak: "Fear not, little FLOCK; for it is your FATHER's good pleasure to give you the KINGDOM" (Lk.12:32). What a word! We are God's sheep, and He is our Shepherd. We are God's children, and He is our Father. We are citizens of the kingdom, and He is our King. By His good pleasure the kingdom is ours to enjoy. Hallelujah! I am excited and elevated in my spirit for this. What about you?

But let me close with a warning.

God has no pleasure in FOOLS, according to Ecl.5:4 - those who make vows and fail to fulfill them. God has no pleasure in mere promises - saying things you don't mean and meaning things you don't say. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Period.

Again, God has no pleasure in people or PASTORS who run church as they please, not minding what God says or wants. He says, "I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand" (Mal.1:10). God says through prophet Malachi, that it is better to lock up the church than to do church the wrong way. What's the use of opening the doors of the church only to engage in flawed worship? God has no pleasure in sacrifices and burnt offerings that are devoid of obedience (Heb.10:6,8).

Also, God takes no pleasure in people who 'chicken out' of the faith - inconsistent people, quitters. God says, "My soul has no pleasure in them" (Heb.10:38).

Finally, God has no pleasure in the death of the WICKED (Ezk.18:23,32; 33:11). In fact, it's written that God is angry with the wicked every day. So we have to save their souls by telling them about Jesus Christ and helping them embrace the gospel truth.

I pray, may the Lord "fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness" upon your life (2Thes.1:11). Amen.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter