The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Revelation 4:10-11.
The text before us is showing us the incomprehensible Grandeur of the uniqueness and Sovereignty of the Creator – see now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live forever. Deuteronomy 32:39-40.
Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. Acts15:18. His will is irresistible, unquestionable and unopposed in heaven and on earth, for who has ever hardened himself against him and has prospered? What is man that he should reply against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, why hast thou made me thus? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things.
Whatever the enemy is doing on earth, they are parts of the plans of him who has created all things for his pleasure: he declares the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, my counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executes my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it. Isaiah 46:10-11.
Psalms 103 verses 19, it says, the Lord has established his throne in heaven and his kingdom rules over all – good or bad, righteous or sinners, deaf or not, dumb or not, wicked or just, rich or poor, master or servant, God has created all things for his pleasure – the Lord has made all things for his purpose and for himself, even the wicked for day of evil. Prov. 16:4. Note: it is the great delight of God to preserve the vessels of his pleasure (thus says the Lord, as the new wine is found in the cluster, and one says, destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants’ sakes, that I may not destroy them all. Isaiah 65:8) who has determined to sanctify themselves in holiness unto him: but his frown, condemnation and final rejection as the just and true God in all his ways awaits any of his vessel not fulfilling the purpose (s) of his creation or existence (for the earth which drinks in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and brings forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receives blessing from God: but that which bears thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. Hebrews 6:7-8): praise ye the Lord. Praise you the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights. Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that are above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded, and they were created. He hath also established them forever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass. Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word: mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars: beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl: Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. Psalms 148:1-13.
Note: ‘the Spirit filled believer prioritize divine interest and glory above his own personal interest and glory in his pursuit after the pleasure of God, – rather than to please man or himself in the world or among his brethren, he is determined to please God above all else, and by seeking and pursuing after the pleasure and glory of God, the Father in heaven is glorified in him – for all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s’. Philippians 2:21.
According to God, he rejected Saul and opted for David as the man who shall fulfill all my will to do all my pleasure (Acts13:22): to satisfy the pleasure of God is to abide in faithfulness in the execution of our assignment, duty or ministry without insubordinate spirit or behavior – to establish our will and desire against his will and desire. Any work done for the Lord but not done after the Lord’s master’s plan – contrary to his pattern is not for his pleasure and satisfaction. The Lord has no great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying his voice. Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. This is where Saul, as the first king of Israel failed. The first Adam, he also failed, fell and lost his purpose to fulfill God’s pleasure in the Garden. To establish a rule or authority in the church outside the perimeters of the word of God is to act against the pleasure of him – God who has great regards for his word above his name.
The first man (Adam) and the first King of Israel (Saul) both displayed the same behavior – sin of self willed. On the contrary, the Christ as the second Adam emptied himself and triumphed over the three temptations where the first Adam brought sin into the world and over the sin by which King Saul was dethroned by God.
God is delighted in us when we do his bidding as shown or as planned out seen by his expression of Christ’s person on earth as his beloved Son in whom he was well pleased: wherefore when he – Christ comes into the world, he says, sacrifice and offering thou would not, but a body hast thou prepared me: in burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou would not, neither had pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. Hebrews 10:5-9.
God hates hypocrisy, for fearfulness will surprised the hypocrites, and the tabernacle of hypocrites shall forever be destroyed. It is God’s desire and pleasure to have sincere men and women to worship him in spirit and in truth on earth. John 4:23-24. It is gives him a great pleasure that his ministers and his children, having had their former – past conversation in the world, should renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending themselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. Have you put off concerning the former conversation the old man which is corrupted according to his deceitful lusts that you might to put on the new man who after God is created in righteousness and in true holiness? Do you love righteousness and speak righteously? For the righteous Lord loves righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright. Psalms 11:7.
Do you love to be led in the paths of righteousness? The Lord is the Shepherd, and we are the sheep of his pasture. For the Lord will lead you besides the still waters (psalms 23:2) but the wicked and him that loves violence his soul hates. Psalms 11:5.
Do you love quietness and peace? For the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places; when it shall hail, coming down on the forest; and the city shall be low in a low place. Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass. Isaiah 32:17-20.
Where is the mark of Christ on you? Have you put his yoke of meekness and lowliness of mind on you? For God takes pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. Psalms 149:4.
Have you paid what you vowed before the Lord when you are in trouble, because he has no pleasure or satisfaction with fools? Eccles 5:4.
Sin (unscriptural sensuality, worldly and ungodly pleasure) is likened to Israel, an empty vine according to prophet Hosea, for he brings forth fruit unto himself, and not unto God. Why? Because the fruit and reward of any sensual, worldly and ungodly pleasure is death – the sincere love of the Father is not in such. Man’s satisfaction and joy is enclosed in the fulfilments of the pleasure and satisfaction of his Maker – God. Note: it becomes a lustful sin when our desire is not blended in God’s. Man cannot have a true sense of life’s fulfilments or enter the everlasting joy if he has not devoted his life to pursue after the pleasure of God while he lived against the pleasure of sin and vexation of spirit. Were Moses not commended for his faith – filled consecrated life before God, having abandoned the pleasure of sin and the riches in Egypt to suffer affliction with the people of God? Was God not pleased with his action? Was he not made a friend of God who speaks mouth to mouth with him as a man speaks with his friend? Note: when we pursue after the pleasure of God, his presence and manifestation is guaranteed, and our honour by him is manifested – if any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor – remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shall say, I have no pleasure in them. Eccles 12:1. John 12:26.
Christ honored and glorified his Father on earth by fulfilling his pleasure (yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shall 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. Isaiah 53:10): because of this, the Father also demands that all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father (John 5:23): whosoever does not honor the Son, does not honor the Father who has highly exalted him, and given him the name which is above every other name. Philippians 2: 9-10.
Everyman in whom the Father is delighted will be drawn to find their Savior and salvation in Christ Jesus: for no man can come to the Son, except the Father who sent him draws him – having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:that in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his own will: that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. Ephesians 1:5-12.
What is the counsel of God’s will that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ? This is found in the eternal plan of God which he designed to show forth the glory and person of his Christ who is the express image of himself in his adoptive children who are called by his name (children of God) on earth: for both he that sanctifies and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren – the partakers of heavenly calling, and of the divine nature, walking and living in sanctification through the sacrifice of self denial and mortification of their members which are upon the earth (Colossians 3:5), so that by their predestination, they are presently conform to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:29.
He shall see of the travail of his soul and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many, for he shall bear their iniquity…..Isaiah 53:12. What exactly is this satisfaction or the delight of Christ in his beloved on earth as the results and effects of the cross where he died? Beloved, it is to live in the life we are called to live after the pattern or after the likeness of Christ death, growing the incorruptible seed of God’s word which was planted inside of us at conversion, so as to escape the corruption that is in the world through lusts, growing in godliness – dead to the flesh: dead to the fruit of sin: dead to the world of ungodliness and its lusts: dead to the law of sin and death, but awaken to live daily in the conscious application of the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus which has set us free from the law of sin and death, so that being planted together with Christ after the likeness of his death, we shall also be planted together very soon like him after the likeness of his resurrection. Romans 6:4-7.
Dear brother and sisters, what is the anchor of your faith and hope to obtain the promise of eternal life if you are not presently living in a crucified life to the flesh and to the world? On what ground is your expectation to partake in the same type of Christ resurrection if you are not sowing to the spirit in order to reap incorruption in the very near future? Note: It is disagreeable and disheartening to God who has no pleasure in the death of an unrepentant sinner or a backslider or of a carnal believer (but God shall wound the head of his enemies and the hairy scalp of such a one as goes on still in his trespasses. Psalms 68:21) not living in a crucified life to the affections and lusts of the flesh in Christ Jesus – crucified to worldliness – shun youthful lusts and pleasures (you are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. John 8:44) as obedient children, not fashioning yourself according to the former lusts in your ignorance: but as he who hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:14-16. Galatians 5:24.
The satisfaction of God in the acceptance of a believer’s work, walk and entire life’s record on high is sure, if a believer wholly accept and submit himself to the things which are strictly satisfactory and pleasing to his God on earth: otherwise, seeking to find his fulfillment and delight in other things of no or lesser value before God (Luke 12:15) will be surprised and self- disappointed by God’s rejection for his vain pursuit after shadow and wind, – a vessel of dishonor, useless and wasted, though been used on earth. 2 Tim 2:20-21.
Why a child of God should approves and blesses what God disapproved and placed his curse upon? Why should you bring yourself under divine – eternal curse by calling evil good, darkness light and bitter sweet? Isaiah 5:20. If you don’t declare your stand to be on the Lord’s side, to clearly show where you are standing, and like Lot, what you stands for while dwelling among the Sodomites of his days, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds (2 Peter 2:4-8) you will surely be as a lighted lamp under a bushel, a tasteless salt, – a vessel wherein there is no pleasure before God.
Our joy, pleasure, satisfaction, delight and contentment should be found in the purposes and pleasure of God, otherwise, we are not on the Lord’s side (because they regard not the works of the Lord, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up. Psalms 28:5): for this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. Romans 1:26-32.
Let the word of God be the rejoicing of your heart. Jer. 15:16. God is displeased whenever you are not showing satisfaction and delight in what he is doing in your life. Let Israel rejoice in him that made him. Be happy in your God in those things which makes him happy, but don’t expect him to be happy for you in those things hated by him that you get yourself into – let everyone that names the name of Christ depart from sin or evil (2 Tim 2:19): the Lord takes pleasure in them who fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. Psalms 147:11.
Joshua and Caleb, while encouraging the rebels, reminded them to re-consider God’s works of old, his faithfulness and promise, saying, if God delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which flows with milk and honey. Only rebel not against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defense is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not. Numbers 14:8-9.
You cannot satisfy or please God until you found your delight and rest in his word and promises – I rejoice at thy word, as one that finds great spoil. Psalms 119:162. To this man will I look, says the Lord…. you are not recognized or noticeable by heaven if your chief joy is not in his holy word – to tremble to the word of God (Isaiah 66:2), such that he was pleased and moved to make reference to Job’s life before Satan (and the Lord said unto Satan, hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that fears God, and eschews evil? Job 1:8) because he delighted in him.
Is not our conversation in heaven, from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself? It is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom of heaven, but you should be delighted to sell all that you have (as to not to set your heart or be emotional attached to material possession and financial gains or prosperity) in your pursuit of heaven.
Where and on what is your investment on earth? Cry yet, saying, thus says the Lord of hosts; my cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the Lord shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem. Zachariah 1:17. God takes great pleasure and satisfaction in the lives of those who are consciously committed to kingdom expansion on earth. These are wise investors who are laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Search and look for a genuine mission, a new church project – a new church plantation in the cities and villages around you where the gospel is preached in all entireties to invest your money in terms of financial or material supports for the salvation of souls – thus says the Lord of hosts; consider your ways. Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, says the Lord. Haggai 1:7-8.
Are you still yielding yourself to God that he might continue to work in you both to do and to will according to his good pleasure? Are you still walking and growing in obedience – increasingly bringing every thought in you into captivity unto the obedient of Christ? Or, have you been given up – given over to reprobate mind because you will not retain God in your knowledge or keep his word in your heart that you might not sin against him? Note: those who are drinking continually from the rivers of God’s pleasure walks daily in the path of life, living daily in the light of his word, and are guided continually by him. Psalms 43:3. They shall go out in joy, and be led forth with peace (Isaiah 55:12): for in his presence is fullness of joy, and at his right hand, there are pleasures forevermore. Psalms 16:11.
This is the satisfaction and pleasure of Christ beloved as they awake daily into the increasing transformation and likeness (Psalms 17:5) of their Savior until Christ is fully formed in them, unto the fullness of the measure of his stature, for the purpose and pleasure of him who was pleased that in all things, Christ should have preeminence.