It is a great pleasure for God to have a relationship with his created beings. Colossians 1:19 “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;” God takes pleasure in those who are His own. Psalms 149:8 “For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.” God refers to those who belong to Him as the apple of His eye. Psalms 17:8 “Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings.” Further, Psalms 22:8 says “He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.” The righteous win in the end, and God will keep this promise because He adores His own and is always eternally and abundantly fair and generous with them.
God takes pleasure in seeing sinners repent. The Bible paints a very encouraging picture in this regard. Ezekiel 18:23 says, “‘Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?” God is just to pour out His wrath on the wicked and judge the unjust; He also wants everyone to repent because of His great patience and love. He wants all people to come to know Him, but He will not force their hand. Luke 15:7 “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”
God takes pleasure in His plan of salvation and His Son Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:19 “For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him” Jesus was God in human flesh, and it was through Him that provided a way to save sinners. God delights in what He has accomplished through Jesus and wants people to accept and celebrate His gift. Isaiah 53:10 says, “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.” The Father wasn’t happy to see Jesus suffer and die, but He delighted in His obedience, knowing the good it would do for all mankind.
God takes great pleasure in seeing believers grow in holiness as He works in their hearts to make them more like Himself. Philippians 2:13 says, “For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” God delights in seeing believers walk by faith as His grace empowers them. Psalm 37:23 says, “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, And He delights in his way.” God is a heavenly Father Who takes great joy in our tottering steps of faith as we keep growing in obedience, faith, hope, and love.
Isaiah 46:9-10 says, “Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure.’” In other words, God’s eternal purpose is tied directly to His good pleasure and His creation.
Dr Ashwin Drummond
Laddertoheaven.co.in