Divine Delight
The Pursuit of Pleasing God
Introduction: The Weight of Unworthiness
Have you ever felt the crushing weight of your own sin? That no matter how hard you try or how many times you repent, you can never truly measure up to God’s standards? If so, you’re not alone. Many believers find themselves trapped in this cycle of guilt and inadequacy, believing they can never truly please God.
As I reflect on my own spiritual journey, I’m reminded of a time when I felt exactly this way. The burden of my shortcomings seemed insurmountable, and the idea of pleasing God felt like an impossible task. But through God’s grace and a deeper understanding of his Word, I’ve come to see this pursuit in a new light.
The Divine Paradox: Called to Please an Unpleasable God?
At first glance, the concept of pleasing God might seem paradoxical. On one hand, we know that our own righteousness is as “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6) and that we can never earn God’s favor through our own efforts. Yet, Scripture clearly calls us to pursue a life that pleases God:
1. Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10).
2. 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 (1 Thessalonians 4:1).
3. 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).
These verses, among others, make it clear that pleasing God is not only possible but expected of believers. So how do we reconcile this apparent contradiction?
Grace: The Foundation of God-Pleasing Living
The key to understanding this paradox lies in recognizing the role of God’s grace. Our desire to please God, our pursuit of a God-pleasing life, and any progress we make in this endeavor are all products of his grace working in and through us.
This realization was transformative in my own walk with Christ. I remember sitting in my study one evening, wrestling with this very concept. As I pored over Scripture and prayed for wisdom, a profound truth began to take root in my heart: pleasing God is not about earning his love or favor, but about responding to the love and grace he has already lavished upon us.
Heart Motivations: The Crux of Pleasing God
As I’ve journeyed deeper into this understanding, I’ve come to see that the motivation behind our actions is just as crucial as the actions themselves. Obeying God out of fear or a desire to avoid punishment misses the mark. Instead, we’re called to obey out of love, gratitude, and a desire to honor the One who has given us everything.
See if this analogy resonates with you:
Imagine two children cleaning their rooms. One does it begrudgingly, afraid of punishment if they don’t comply. The other cleans with enthusiasm, eager to please their parent out of love and appreciation. Both rooms end up clean, but which child’s actions truly bring joy to the parent’s heart?
This simple illustration helps illuminate the difference between dutiful obedience and heartfelt devotion.
From Entitlement to Gratitude: A Paradigm Shift
One of the most significant obstacles to pleasing God is an attitude of entitlement. How easy it is to fall into the trap of believing that God’s blessings are our due, that his love is somehow owed to us. This mindset not only robs us of joy but also hinders our ability to truly please God.
I confess that I’ve struggled with this attitude at times in my own life. There have been seasons where I’ve taken God’s goodness for granted, forgetting the depth of my own sinfulness and the magnitude of his grace. But when we truly grasp the reality of our fallen nature and the extravagant mercy God has shown us through Christ, our hearts cannot help but overflow with gratitude and a desire to please him.
Practical Steps Toward a God-Pleasing Life
As we seek to cultivate a life that brings pleasure to our Heavenly Father, here are some practical steps we can take:
1. Regularly reflect on God’s goodness and grace in your life.
2. Deepen your understanding of God’s character and his desires for his children.
3. Regularly ask yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing.
4. Make it your aim to exalt God in all aspects of your life.
5. Surround yourself with fellow believers who can encourage and challenge you in your pursuit of pleasing God.
Conclusion: The Joy of Pleasing God
As we embark on this journey of pleasing God, may we remember that it’s not a burden to be borne, but a privilege to be embraced. When we align our hearts with God’s will, seeking to honor him out of love and gratitude, we discover a profound joy that transcends circumstance.
In the words of the psalmist, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). As we delight in God, he shapes our desires to align with his, creating a beautiful cycle of mutual pleasure and deepening relationship.
May we, as followers of Christ, continually grow in our understanding and practice of pleasing God, not out of obligation, but out of the overflow of hearts transformed by His amazing grace.
The Lord bless you,
Dale