Well Pleased… “And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love, with him I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17
A Christian, pleasing to Christ, first learns that to be raised high means I must begin low. Jesus did not begin His ministry baptizing, rather being baptized. He required of Himself everything expected for everyone else. Humble leaders do this. They follow the agreed upon guidelines, realizing no one is above the rules. It’s with a humble heart that a leader discerns the Lord’s ways and then lives it out in front of the faithful and the faithless.
Perhaps goodhearted people seek to place you on a pedestal of admiration and honor. It is at this point of recognition that you keep your spirit low, as your reputation is on the rise. The Lord sustains His blessings for those who defer honor back to Him. It pleases your Heavenly Father to see you engaged in humble acts, especially as your influence grows. The closer you grow to Christ the more you see the need for His grace and forgiveness.
You can only deal with others about their souls if Jesus has dealt with you about your soul. It pleases Him when you first pronounce yourself needy before heaven, and before you point out the needs of another. Humility first looks inwardly at its heart, before it outwardly observes the issues of another. The Lord is pleased when you take the lead to repentance.
You go publically with your faith, after you have been privately in prayer. This solemn preparation pleases your Heavenly Father. Moreover, have you proclaimed your faith publically in baptism? It pleases God for you to go public for Him. It is an honor and it becomes your sacred accountability. Private intimacy with your Heavenly Father leads to a public inauguration of your faith. He is well pleased with you when you publically pronounce Him the Lord over your life. Humility pleases Him. Why? It listens and obeys.
“Then the LORD spoke to you out of the fire. You heard the sound of words but saw no form; there was only a voice. He declared to you his covenant, the Ten Commandments, which he commanded you to follow…” (Deuteronomy 4:12-13a).
Have I earned the right to publically declare my faith because of my private obedience? Does my Savior smile when He sees how I honor Him with my attitudes and actions?
Related Readings: Job 37:5; Haggai 1:12; John 5:25; Hebrews 4:7
Transformational Living
What did I learn from the Lord in today’s Bible reading? How will I respond?
