Day 292, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Luke 10:21-24; Matthew 11:25-30; Luke 10:38-11:13; Luke 11:27-12:21
What Pleases God?
What pleases God? Is it the sacrifices we make, the services we perform, or the good deeds we do? Is God happy when we donate money for charitable institutions and causes? We don’t have to be in a fog about this; Jesus had many things to say about what pleases God.
Simple Faith Gives Joy to God
At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. (Luke 10:21, NIV).
To see what pleases God, we need the eyes of faith, the faith of a little child; simple faith gives joy to God. When we trust the Lord this way, he is glad to reveal more of himself to us.
When We Listen to Christ, It Pleases God
It is more important that we are attentive to Christ than to be busy serving but not listening. In today’s Bible reading, Jesus and his twelve disciples come to the house of his friends, Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. Mary sits at the feet of Jesus and listens to his teaching and counsel. Meanwhile, Martha is busy making meal preparations for Jesus and his twelve disciples. This is quite a chore! Martha thinks Mary is being lazy—she shouldn’t be sitting—there is much work to be done! She appeals to Jesus to have him speak to Mary, so she will get up and help her. Mary and Martha live in a male-dominated society. It’s women’s work to prepare the meals for guests while the men talk about religion.
Jesus rebukes Martha, however, telling her that Mary has made a better choice. What is more important to us—serving or listening? If Jesus were to come to our house, would we stop to visit, or would we spend the entire time playing the part of the host or hostess? Perhaps you struggle with this like me; I like to serve people, but I need to listen more.
Here is the good news for Christians. If we have accepted Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross on our behalf, we already have Christ at home in our hearts through the presence of God’s Holy Spirit! (Romans 8:9)When God converted us, he gave him to us. We visit with him in our daily times of Bible study and prayer as we are now doing. Any time of the day or night, the Lord is there. Are we ready to listen?
God Favors the Right Kind of Prayer
Jesus impresses the disciples when they hear him pray. At their request, Jesus gives them a sample prayer. We probably know this as “The Lord’s Prayer,” although it is better described as the disciples’ prayer. In it, Jesus instructs them,
When you pray [emphasis mine], say: “Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.” (Luke 11:2-4, NIV)
Elements of the Sample Prayer
- Jesus tells the disciples to address the prayer to Our Father in Heaven. He doesn’t instruct them to pray to himself or to the Holy Spirit. Nowhere in the Bible are we told to do that. What’s the difference? Aren’t all the same God? Yes, but this is the way He prefers it. Why should we do anything different? Perhaps some negatively associate the heavenly Father with their earthly father; however, God is good and caring (see how he reveals himself in Exodus 34:6-7). We glorify the LORD when we pray to the Father, through the Son, by the Holy Spirit.
- Worship God before asking anything. How do we come to God when we pray? Do we recognize the holy and magnificent nature of our heavenly Father, or do we just tell him our feelings and give him our list of requests? (This is convicting for all of us).
- Pray for the coming of his kingdom. When his kingdom comes, war and conflict will cease, and there will be peace on earth. When God’s will is done, his followers are faithful, and he thwarts the devil's plans.
- Ask for your daily bread, which probably includes spiritual, emotional, and physical needs. Jesus says, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7, NIV).
- Ask forgiveness for specific daily sins (something Jesus didn’t need to do). One writer of the Psalms says,
If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me! (Psalm 66:18-20, NIV).
God wants to answer our prayers, so we need to confess our sins and forgive others. How are we doing in this area? I know, this isn’t always easy.
- Don’t lead us into temptation (meaning, lead us away from it). The devil will lure and ruin us if he can. We are in a spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:10-18), but arming ourselves is not enough. We need the power or ability to fight; therefore, we need to pray (Ephesians 6:10-18). When we ask him for help, he will give us the ability to withstand temptations or flee from them.
Genuine Christian Character Delights God
If we just claim we’re Christians, it doesn’t impress God; he’s concerned with our character. As we obey the Word of God, we become a light of truth to our world.
Service with Genuine Motives Makes God Happy
Just looking good doesn’t impress God. How much we give to a church or other charities, our position in the community, expertise in teaching or preaching God’s Word, or our evangelism and discipleship doesn’t matter if we have the wrong motivations.
Like washing a cup and leaving the inside dirty are those who are falsely religious. The Pharisees religiously practice the ceremonial washing of hands, utensils, and it impresses the people. Jesus wants us to serve others and act with justice and mercy. (Micah 6:8).Living Sacrificially for God without Shame makes Him Smile
God doesn’t want us fearful of losing everything if we follow him. Many turn away from Christ when faced with sacrifices, but God doesn’t want us to seek comfort and ease, and he doesn’t want us to lie up treasures for ourselves. The Lord wants us to be generous in giving both our resources and ourselves to his work. He will take care of us. It may be a cliche, but it is still true, Where God leads, he provides.
a more complete version of the prayer is recorded in Matthew 6:9-13
Discussion
What kinds of things really please God?
