PSALM 69:30-31 – I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. This will please the LORD more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs.
HEBREWS 11:6 – And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
THEME OF THE DAY: PRACTICAL WAYS TO PLEASE THE LORD. The Apostle Paul writing to the church in Thessalonica, a good church with a good Christ-honoring reputation, gave them what is to be the daily goal in the lives of God’s people – Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:1-2). The goal? To be pleasing to the Lord in all our conduct. Easy to say, but what does that look like in life? Well, here is the simple and right answer – practical and intentional obedience to God’s commands. I know that we know that. Each of us who names the Name of Christ would be quick to say, “A life pleasing to the Lord would be one that obeys His Word.” The problem comes with the word “intentional.” We don’t obey automatically. There is no “spiritual cruise control of obedience” we set and just go about our days. And more often than not, we execute daily routines and may not even obey one command of the Lord. Bold statement, I know, but here is a test. We are told “encourage one another daily” (Hebrews 3:13). How are we doing with that command so far today? The reality in our profession of faith in Christ is we know far more than we obey, and when it comes to a life pleasing to the Lord, from today’s scriptures, let me give us two practical ways we may have such a life.
First, a life pleasing to the Lord is bathed in daily worship – I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. This will please the LORD more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs (Psalm 69:30-31). This doesn’t mean we isolate from the world and practice some monastic routine. We live with a God-consciousness. We see His power and creativity in nature prompting us to worship. We marvel over His daily protection and provision in our lives prompting worship. And we often set our minds on the privilege of being a Christian daily walking with the God who redeemed us. God is pleased when His people recognize Him throughout their days that always leads to grateful worship. After all, one of the great blessings of eternity will be sin-free worship.
Another way to live a life pleasing to the Lord is believe Him – And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him (Hebrews 11:6). Now this goes beyond just believing He exists. True faith believes and trusts. God is most pleased when in the difficulties of life, when emotions run high and seek to paralyze us by fear and doubt, we cut through all and trust Him. Like the David in the fifty-sixth Psalm – When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? (Psalm 56:3-4). And by following the instructions given by the prophet Isaiah when the “spiritual lights” go out in our life, when “feeling God is absent” and we are called to faith – Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God (Isaiah 50:10). God is most pleased when we trust Him in the dark.
Pleasing God. Simple obedience. Begin with a life of worship and trust. He will be most pleased as we do.
PRAYER: “Father, thank You for Your Word and its simplicity in showing me the ways I may please You.”
QUOTE: “Pleasing the Lord isn’t some feeling or attitude. It is taking practical and intentional steps of obeying Him.”
In the affection of Christ Jesus,
Pastor Jim