I Am Pleased

Prepare : Father, open my eyes to see what pleases You.
Read : Luke 3:15-22

Last night my cousin, celebrating his birthday, treated his boss to some drinks at a bar. As a Christian, he was not very happy doing it, but said that he complied with his boss' request in order to avoid problems at work. How far do we go to please others?

Displeased : John in his preaching, listed the wrongs that were being committed. That includes Herod taking his brother's wife Herodias. Both Herod and Herodias were very displeased with the public reprimand. Herod imprisoned John to please Herodias (Mk 6:17) though he knew John to be a righteous and holy man (Mk. 6:20). The story is further detailed in Mk 6:22-28 and we read that John paid with his life for choosing to please God rather than men.

Pleased : In verse 22, we see God declaring that He is pleased with Jesus, His Son. This, I am inclined to say, encompasses everything that Jesus had done before His birth on earth, His obedience in coming to earth, His life on earth up to that point in time and His commitment to fulfill the events ahead.

Are you pleased as long as you get what you want, whatever the cost? Are you ignoring God's will and commandments to please someone else? Is God pleased with you? Do you encourage the people around you by telling them that you are pleased with their work? Do you build up your children with words of approval and encouragement?

Respond : Father help me as I strive to please You in everything.