Through the combination of some remarks by Dr. Barry Awe (https://youtu.be/ZO-KyNX8kGA ) and a message by Brian Donovan (https://youtu.be/HVhiwcnU4_8 ) I was inspired to do a study on what scripture says regarding things that please God. That study (for me still ongoing) led to this brief post, summarizing a few things that scripture tells us. It is an awesome thing to contemplate, that sinful man can not only be reckoned righteous before God in Christ, by Christ, through Christ (and Christ alone), and it is even more miraculous in some ways that God can and does receive pleasure from what we do and do not do. If we desire to please Him, to “render back for all His benefits” towards us, the scripture gives some very clear information on simple things we can do towards that end. If we have already taken the first and all important step of receiving Jesus Christ crucified for our sins and risen for our justification as our savior, our only hope, our only trust then pleasing Him will be something we desire to do. For those who have not received His Son, that is where you need to start with pleasing Him. For those who have, I have listed ten passages that give us some clear commands on things please God when we do them:
- Obedience to the Lord
And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. – 1 Samuel 15:22
- Praise and Thanksgiving to the Lord
I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs. – Psalm 69:30-31
- Fearing and Trusting the Lord
The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. – Psalm 147:11
- Dealing Truly
The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. – Proverbs 12:22
- The Prayer of the Upright
The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. – Proverbs 15:8
- Lovingkindness, Judgment, and Righteousness
But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord. – Jeremiah 9:24
- Fruitfulness in Good Works and Knowledge of God
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; – Colossians 1:10
- Obedience to Parents in the Lord
Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. – Colossians 3:20
- Faith
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. – Hebrews 11:6
- Doing Good and Communicating
But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. – Hebrews 13:16
These ten are but a tip of the iceberg as far as what scripture contains regarding what we can do to please our Lord, what He likes and delights in, – as well as what displeases Him. It is my hope that this short list will be helpful and may stoke a desire to know the Lord better by studying the scriptures and giving heed to what He has conveyed to us in them about Himself.
wisdomspout 