PLEASING GOD

Pleasing God pays off presently, but also contains rich eternal dividends. All things were created by our dear Lord and for His pleasure. He of course had in mind especially a new creation. In Hebrews we are told of Jesus being given a body for the performance of God’s good will. The Holy Spirit is also fully involved in this marvelous plan. In our prayer life He works on the part of both our God and us. He prays for us and through us according to our Father’s good pleasure, often when it seems that we can do no more than groan. Especially when we are trying to put into words the deepest feelings of our hearts, in a yearning and burning desire to please Him.

On the long journey Rebekah was taught what Isaac liked, by her guide Eliezer. Also Esther was trained to be pleasing for the king, by his chamberlain. The woman chosen to be joined unto the king as his queen in Psalm 45:10 was told to hearken, consider, incline and forget, in preparation of being a delight unto the king. In Proverbs 31, and the Song of Solomon the Holy Spirit teaches somewhat in symbol that which is desired for the development of His loveliest companion. The Holy Spirit teaches about body parts, their placement and production for the performance of our Lord’s good pleasure.

The physical body teaches about God’s work in the spiritual realm. I Cor. 12:18,28. “...God hath placed the members every one of them in the body, as it hath Pleased Him.” We each, have important places to fill, and functions to fulfill in the body of Christ. We are members one of another. We need each other. God sets the members in the body and equips them with gifts for their most beneficial function, fruitfulness, usefulness and blessedness. It’s His choice, for His pleasure, as He sees fit. How we fill our God-given place depends on our attitude toward Him and His handy-work.

SOME ATTITUDES EXPRESSED

(1) - Ps. 139:13-17: It is so highly beneficial for us to take pleasure in Him, and even in His will being performed. He does know best. This Psalm contains great food for our consideration, but oh, the joy to realize that we are, “fearfully, and wonderfully made.” Enjoy yielding to the mighty hand of the master craftsman. We are His workmanship. Eph. 2:10. (2) - Rom. 9:20: “...Who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?” We have a nature inclined to condemn, criticize and question our creator. It seems that whatever we don’t like about ourselves, we want to blame on God. There are times that we feel more like a misfit than others. When we feel good about ourself, we are more likely to take credit for it.

Cosmetic surgery really booms today. There are many people that are willing to pay great sums of money, to be made to look different. “Make me more like what I would like to be.” “Change my eyes, my ears, my nose or what ever it takes.” But God works from the inside out. We heard of a woman that spent thousands of dollars on different kinds of surgery, saying that her body was her investment. I would guess the work had to be done over several times. God’s choice is the best, He indeed has a great investment in us. What a wonderful treasure He has placed in earthen vessels, even the life of His beloved Son. As we wholeheartedly yield, He is making us all glorious within. Jesus told some that had taken a great liking to themselves “Without you are like whited sepulchers, but within you are full of dead men’s bones.” There are so-called self-made men that worship their creator, but that won’t last long.

(3) - I Cor. 15:10: I really appreciate Paul’s attitude. He was inspired to write, “I am what I am by the grace of God.” He could say I am not what I was, thank God. I am not all that I shall be. I am not yet all that I want to be. But by grace, that divine influence in my heart and it’s reflection in my life, I will be well pleased eternally when I become that best He can make of me for His glory. Focused upon HIM and His Word, I am being changed from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord, into that which satisfies His and my heart. We are solemnly encouraged to be the best we can be for His glory. We are urged by the Holy Spirit to use wisely and well, whatever He has placed in our heart and hand. Shall we not be amazed and inspired with all our Lord put at our disposal? It is evident that His Word would encourage us to be ambitious, even spiritually opportunistic. “Redeem the time,” this is our day to appropriate and share the grace of God to it’s highest potential. We do not want to allow any measure thereof to be wasted, or put to no beneficial use. Oh, let us delight to delight Him, and in Him, doing His will, cheerfully yielding, allowing it to be done, seeking its accomplishment diligently!

FOR HIS PLEASURE

“...some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead.” I Cor. 15:35-42.

God made the difference in the bodies of men, beast, fish and birds for their most beneficial function in their habitat. We like Jesus are given a body in which we are to do God’s will. He has made a difference in the earthly and heavenly bodies. Sun, moon and stars differ from one another in glory, to teach us about different glories to radiate in resurrected glorified bodies. It is said that, “no two stars, or no two snow flakes are identical.” It was not His purpose to make puppets or clones. He purposed that the life of Jesus be manifested in our mortal bodies. He fills trusting hearts with a deep longing to magnify our beloved Lord in our lives. It is evident every part of Jesus’ mystical body will manifest, some measure of His glory in differing degrees.

SHOWN AND KNOWN

I Cor. 5:1-6. The (body) house that we are said to have eternal in the heavenlies, is now there in the plan, purpose, and provision of God. We do not actually have it yet, but in perpetuity. Departed believers are not yet “clothed upon” with our house from heaven. That place there for us is now being developed to fit the radiance of the glory that is presently being worked in our innermost being. That which is all-glorious within, will soon be shown without. Those who die in the Lord, the soul and spirit is now in His presence. At the Lord’s return, Saints will be raised with glorified bodies. We that are alive and remain when He comes, will also be “clothed upon” with our house from heaven. Changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. The degree we have pleased the Lord here, will be proven and shown then universally! Glory To God! Hallelujah! That is why Paul says we are ambitious (labour) to be well pleasing (acceptable) in His sight. We delight in the gracious opportunity to glorify Him. II Cor. 5:9,10.

by J. D.