Doing What Pleases the Father

John 8:21-30 Jesus said to the Jews, “I do always those things that please Him.” Jesus had just shared that He only spoke those things that the Father taught Him. Jesus’ life on earth was spent pleasing the Father. He was not sent to earth to please Himself or even others. He came to speak the Word the Father spoke to Him and to do the works He saw the Father do. Jesus’ life on earth reveals how we are to walk daily.

We wake up every morning with three choices: We can choose to please ourselves, others or God. If we make the right choice, God will cause our day to be filled with peace and joy. If we choose to please ourselves, we will be miserable. I have yet to see a happy selfish person. If we choose to please others, we will be bound by what others think of us. There will be no lasting satisfaction, and we will always be manipulating situations and people in such a way that everyone seems to be happy. We will always be under pressure to receive the approval of others. People pleasing is rooted in the fear of man and is directly opposed to the fear of God. True fulfillment comes when we know we are living to please God, not man or ourselves.

Now you may ask, “What pleases God?” The answer is given in Jesus’ own words to His disciples: “Do not fear, little flock for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). “The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 14:17). When we give the kingdom to others through our words and deeds, we are pleasing the Father.

My life scripture is Philippians 2:13: “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”

Let this be your prayer this morning:

Lord, I want to think, do and say only those things that please You today. I trust You to enable me by the power of Your Holy Spirit to only do Your good pleasure this day. I choose to please You in all I do and say.

READ: 1 Samuel 17:1-18:4; John 8:21-30; Psalm 11:1-10; Proverbs 15:11