Monday, May 2, 2022

Meandering Monday - Pleasing God - Martin Wiles

Welcome to Meandering Monday, where we take a trip back to an earlier post and enjoy it again.

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. Hebrews 11:6 NLT

Children live to please; grandchildren do as well.

My wife and I once had the privilege of keeping two of our grandsons every day while our daughter worked. Both lived to please us and were quite excited when they did. When they were young, simple things such as putting away their toys brought a handclap of joy when the job was done. When we asked them to fold their hands for the blessing before dinner, they eagerly obeyed. Handing us an item was done without fussing or arguing. Should we say, “Let’s go to Pop’s school,” they would head for the door. Regardless of what we asked, they obeyed. But we knew the time would come when they wouldn’t be as eager to please. The desire to disobey would sneak in, and their sinful nature would rear its ugly head.

Acceptance—a basic human need—explains children’s eagerness to please. By pleasing others and receiving their praise, approval, or thanks, they satisfy this need. Being accepted results in happiness and healthy living. Feeling unaccepted delivers the opposite.

Parents aren’t the only ones born with an innate desire to please. I also have this inborn need for God’s acceptance. My instincts drive me to worship and attempt to please him. If I neglect or ignore this need, I’ll find myself going down paths of rebellion—just as children do when they reach the “terrible twos.” But if I move toward this instinctive desire, I’ll gain God’s acceptance.

Faith in what Jesus did on the cross is the only way to please God. Faith that he has an eternal home awaiting us. Faith he’ll see us through every trial. Faith he can show us abundant living. Faith he’ll work all things for our good even when they aren’t good. Faith he’ll enable us to do what he’s given us gifts to do. Faith, plain and simple.

Faith in God drives us to obey him, and this is the only way we can please God. Are you living to please God or someone else?

Prayer: Father, enable us to please You by living a life of faith in Your Word and promises. 

Tweetable: Are you pleasing God? 


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