Whatever He Pleases

“Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good;
    sing to his name, for it is pleasant!
For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself,
    Israel as his own possession.

For I know that the Lord is great,
    and that our Lord is above all gods.
Whatever the Lord pleases, he does,
    in heaven and on earth,
    in the seas and all deeps.
He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth,
    who makes lightnings for the rain
    and brings forth the wind from his storehouses.

He it was who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
    both of man and of beast;
who in your midst, O Egypt,
    sent signs and wonders
    against Pharaoh and all his servants;
who struck down many nations
    and killed mighty kings,
Sihon, king of the Amorites,
    and Og, king of Bashan,
    and all the kingdoms of Canaan,
and gave their land as a heritage,
    a heritage to his people Israel.”

“It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
and rescued us from our foes,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.” Psalm 135:3-12; 136:23-24

Kings, nations, seas, storms, wilderness, salvation. The Lord owns and rules all, and does whatever He pleases with all He has made. He is not stingy nor capricious, casual or uncaring, but always intentional with holy purpose and end in mind. God is benevolent, working power over kingdoms and peoples, mercy in storms, grace in wilderness, supply from His storehouses. He is above all gods and personally keeps and guards His children. Indeed, He is worthy to be praised! (Psalm 138:6-8)

While God does all He pleases for kingdom reasons and His name’s sake, we in the flesh prefer life as we please. We awaken each day pondering how our hours can serve our pleasure. As much as we’re able, we choose how to spend our (God-given) money and time, we please ourselves with food and drink and entertainment, we make plans and involve ourselves in ways pleasant to us. Often, this bent takes no thought for our Maker.

What God pleases magnifies His goodness and name. What God pleases nurtures and protects His own. What God pleases displays His wonders abroad so many can behold His power, loveliness, and generosity. What God pleases executes justice and fulfills His word and displays magnanimously His steadfast love. What if I aligned my pleasure with His?

What if I began each day by singing His praise and asking the benediction of His pleasant name on my agenda? How can my posture and plans exalt His goodness and character? What about my work, my words and interactions, my ministry among others can reflect His excellence, love, and grace? How can I adjust my efforts to promote spiritual wisdom, divine justice, the guarding of His church and building up of His people? To whom can I and will I, out of gratitude for His merciful condescension to me, offer the gift of His promises and heritage? Delighting ourselves in the Lord conforms the desires of our heart to His. And practicing what He pleases brings Him glory. (Psalm 37:4)

Lord, may I daily consider Your goodness and holy ends so I live for Your pleasure and praise alone.