God’s Joy In Giving

Read: Ephesians 1:3-10

He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure. Ephesians 1:9, NIV

IN WORD

God feels pleasure. That may come as a surprise to people who think He is angry most of the time, always focused on sin, watching us from a distance, or without feelings at all. But according to His Word, God feels a range of emotions (we, who are made in His image, should easily recognize that in Him), and one of those emotions is pleasure.

What causes God to feel pleasure? Probably a lot of things—He is not a discontent, frustrated being. One of the things He enjoys most is clearly stated in the Gospels. He thoroughly enjoys giving His children the Kingdom (Luke 12:32). In the context of Jesus’ statement to His followers, the Kingdom involves freedom from worry about food, clothes, and the substance of life. All is freely given to those who rest in Him. The King is good to His citizens.

Part of the gift of God’s Kingdom is expressed in today’s verse. He enjoys making known to us the mystery of His will. That pleases Him. He doesn’t want His will to be a secret. The purposes and plans from before the foundation of the world, the grand designing of fulfilling everything in Christ and bringing all things under His headship, are there for us to see. He has revealed them. Like an artist unveiling a masterpiece carefully and precisely crafted for years, God has unveiled the mysteries of the Kingdom for His people. And He takes pleasure in our discovery of its wonders.

IN DEED

Ask God to show you the mystery of His will. Invest yourself in His masterpiece by marveling over it, exploring it, learning about it, and implementing it. His Kingdom is not simply a work to admire; it’s for audience participation. So ask Him for Kingdom insights that you can put into practice and use to impact the world around you. Pray for divine solutions to earthly problems. Ask for His Kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven, and volunteer to be a vehicle for the answer. And feel His pleasure over your request.

ADDITIONAL READING: Luke 12:32

You must live with people to know their problems, and live with God in order to solve them.

PETER TAYLOR FORSYTH