How to Please God
Today’s Verse:
“ He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.” ~Psalm 147:10-11
Ps. 147 is a Psalm of praise. It draws our attention on how God is interested in every intricate detail of our lives, our churches, and our families. The Psalmist relates what he has learned from experience about God’s divine working in his life and the nation of Israel. In this Psalm, we see that in order for us to maximize God’s working in our lives, we must be sure we are pleasing God in everything.
We see the involvement of his sympathetic CARE.
In vs. 2-4, we see that “The Lord doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel. He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.” In effect, God is pleased when we allow Him to care for us. When we allow Him to care for us, we see His power at work as our Heavenly Father. Nobody cares for the disadvantaged more than God! Nobody cares for the diseased and disabled more than God. He has complete understanding and comprehension of everything going on. He knows the ending and how it should play out. Allow God to care for you during all your difficult and darkened moments. Don’t let the problem be bigger than God. Always remember God is bigger than the problem!
We see the importance of a submissive CONFIDENCE.
“He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.” The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that hope in His mercy. Our human nature is to have faith in God when we can’t solve the problem ourselves. It is deceptively easy for us to have faith in our problem-solving ability (the legs of a man) and in the technology of our day (the strength of the horse). God is pleased when we fear Him and place our complete faith in His power for us. Israel had to have faith that God would open their Red Sea. Joshua had to have faith that God had the right idea about the tumbling of the walls of Jericho. Daniel had to have faith that the Lord’s power to shut the mouths of lions was greater than King Darius trying to enact an 11th hour law change. Without faith, it is impossible to please God!
We see the impact of a surrendered COMPLIANCE.
In vs. 15-19, “He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly. He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes. He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold? He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow. He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.” God is pleased when we obey His Word. Obedience always precedes faith. God’s Word is not limited in its availability and influence. Without His Word, we would do what is right in our own eyes. His Word is absolute and binding. He sends His Word so that sinners can be saved. He sends His Word so that His people have light for each step. He sends His Word so that we have instruction for our lives. God makes His Word available so that we can submit to and obey it.
Let us live to please God. Let us be sure we allow God to care for us as our Father. Let us be sure we walk by faith and not by sight. Let us be sure we are obedient and compliant to what He tells us. Live to please the Lord!
Have a pleasing God Morning!