For His Pleasure

We were created for his pleasure. He redeemed us to spend eternity with him. But does that mean we will have no pleasure in heaven, that it’s all about “making sure God is happy”?

Absolutely not.

In his presence is fullness of joy. At his right hand are pleasures forevermore. ¹ Jesus, being at the right hand of the Father, will be our source of joy. In him alone we will find eternal pleasure and joy inexpressible. We will share in the joy of God, as he will say to us, "enter into the joy of your Master.” ² We will share in his happiness.

God is not like us - he will not have pleasure at our expense. He will not be pleased while we are eternally bored, unfulfilled, and unsatisfied. We will share in his joy. We were created for his pleasure; for all eternity we will be satisfied in him! 

God lacks nothing. He does not need us to be fulfilled or to make up for something that is deficient in him. God requires nothing. We are created for his pleasure, for he delights in our delight and rejoices over our rejoicing. We are not a missing puzzle piece in the portrait of God. We were not created to fill a void in his glory. No, it is to his glory that we are satisfied in him, that we come into his good eternal purpose for us. We serve at the pleasure of the King. He created us to find our fulfillment in him. God finds pleasure in our pleasure.

My son Josiah had the opportunity to meet Paul David Tripp, a well-known Christian author that Josiah has a deep respect for. From a distance I saw Josiah approaching Paul to talk to him. I so wanted to be in on that conversation, not because I wanted to meet Paul David Tripp, but because I wanted to experience the joy my son had in meeting him. I took pleasure in seeing my son’s pleasure. In this I see the Father’s heart. Oh, how good God is that he would find joy in our joy, that he would create a being in his image, not because he likes to look at himself, but because he simply wanted someone to enjoy him! Love can't help but share itself, and God, because of his great love for us, wants to share himself with us.

I'll tread in careful humility here. There have been times I have played the piano and a peaceful calm has come over those listening. Children, youth, adults, have settled, stilled, and become quiet. It’s almost surreal. I’ve simply played, and people have sensed a peace, and just wanted me to keep playing. But what they are sensing is not a soothing melody or a well-constructed series of chord progressions. What they are sensing is the pleasure of God. The Lord enjoys when I, his child, play piano! He takes pleasure in my playing and that pleasure spills over on to others in the form of peace.

Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive. ³ This is the God we are talking about: the One who says gain is in loss and a gift given is really a gift received. What an amazing God we serve.

Scripture References

¹ Psalm 16:11

² Matthew 25:23

³ Acts 20:35