God Takes Pleasure In Us

Psalms 149:4 For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation.

Stop and think about what the psalmist wrote, "For the Lord takes pleasure in His people." What do we bring to the table that God would take pleasure in? The short answer is, "Nothing at all." What do we have to offer God? Especially when He tells us in Isaiah 64:6, "But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." So what exactly have we to offer that He takes pleasure in? Our faith in Jesus is what pleases our God. Hebrews 11:6 clearly tells us that without faith it is impossible to please Him. When we become the children of God, in Christ Jesus, our Heavenly Father takes pleasure in us; as we show our love for Christ in obeying His commands. Do not mistake what I am saying here. God's love is unconditional. The Bible clearly tells us that He so loved the world, that He gave us His Son; and did this while we were yet His enemies (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). There is nothing we can do to earn God's love, but nothing can separate us from it, once we are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38-39). Nonetheless, God does take pleasure in us as we do all we can to walk in obedience to His Word. Was that not the case with Enoch? Was it not the case with Noah? Was it not the case Elijah? Enoch and Elijah never experienced physical death, because of their walk with God. Noah and his family were saved from a worldwide flood, because of Noah's walk with God. Yet, their favor was not because of their works, but because of their faith. If we are to find pleasure with the Lord, then we must walk a life of obedience, which is the result of walking by faith. Regardless of what the Lord allows us to experience in our walk with Him, if we respond in humility, faith, and obedience to His Word, we can have the assurance that His love is unfailing; and that He finds pleasure in us, in Christ Jesus.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 7:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).