Pleasing God – Deuteronomy 10:12-13

Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the Lord’s commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?

We need not grope in the darkness for direction on how to please God, for our Heavenly Father has told us what He desires of us, and He has granted us understanding, so we can live as those who have heard and received His instruction. Not only will the Lord open our minds to comprehend His instruction, but also He will empower us, so we may obey Him. When we seek Him, He will show us how to live righteously, He will give us delight in extending kindness to others, and He will enable us to walk humbly with Him.[1] As the author of justice, kindness, and humility, He breathes these holy attributes into our souls when we draw close to Him, for He, who desires our joy, wants to bring our hearts into alignment with His will, so He can bless us.

Showy offerings and obligatory sacrifices do not please Him. A masquerade of piety brings Him no pleasure.  Rather, He delights in faithfulness flowing from a desire to know Him.[2]  Obedience to His teaching and a heart tendered by His love, these are pleasing to God and lead to peace in Him.

A God-pleasing holiness is within our reach, for the Lord endows us for this walk of reverence, love, service, and obedience by granting us “everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His glory and excellence.â€[3] He indwells us with His Holy Spirit, who enlightens us and gives us the power to resist the temptation of the world’s pleasures, so we may discern the value of eternal riches. He gives us the aspiration and strength to answer His call to lay down our lives and follow Him. By His Word and through His people, He teaches us how to serve Him that we might take on the nature of His beloved Son, Jesus Christ, who gave His life that we might live.

Through the mercy and grace of God, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the instruction of Scripture, and the teaching of those the Lord has appointed as teachers and pastors, we can learn how to live in a manner pleasing to the Lord. Therefore, walk along the Highway of Holiness, holding fast to the high standard He has set for us,[4] and rejoice in the promise that the holy One, who etched His covenant of faithfulness to us in the pillars of the earth, will honor your commitment to please Him.[5]

Walk in the Lord’s ways, love Him, and keep His commandments, and He will be pleased by you.[6]

Etched in the pillars of the earth

Promises, trustworthy, true

Scrolled across the heavens

Good News to restore, renew

The seeking mind, the eager soul

The one with eyes to see

The child who sits and listens

To His Father’s symphony

Covenant of faithfulness

Written upon my heart

Desire to grow in kindness

To stand separate and apart

To love mercy, justice

To walk in humility

To hunger after righteousness

To know He is pleased with me

[1] Micah 6:8

[2] Hosea 6:6

[3] 2 Peter 1:3

[4] Philippians 3:16

[5] John 12:25-26

[6] Romans 14:18