The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Colossians 1:9b-10,
"We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way..."
It has been observed that within the church there are two very different approaches in worship. One has been called "penitent worship", the other "eucharistic worship".
Penitent worship takes the form of the pastor "spanking" the congregation every Sunday over tobacco, alcohol, sexual immorality, gossip, irregular attendance, not digging deep enough to help fund the latest building project, and so on. A "mourner's bench is made available up front together with elders who will pray with those so "convicted" they come up to make things right. Then we do it all over again next week.
On the other hand, eucharistic worship focuses not on our shortcomings, but celebrating God's wonderful character and nature, exulting in him and the wonderful things he has done. It appears to me, if it is worship, this ought to be the objective.
Not to say there is not a place within the life of the church to reflect on our shortcomings and things we need to "get right" with the Lord. However, if this becomes the prevailing perspective in worship, to the neglect of the other, we may begin to view God as a task master, someone who holds a high standard, and that, generally speaking, just isn't very happy with any of us.
Moving beyond our shortcomings and God's potential unhappiness with us, Paul points to choices we can make that please and delight the heart of our God. In other words, we need to recognize that there ought to be more in our interaction with God than not displeasing him: moving beyond to delighting the Lord! Here is something that never ceases to amaze me: through choices I make, I can actually delight the heart of our God! Think of it!
The Scriptures speak of a delight God takes in us when we live our lives in a way that pleases him. Perhaps, if we have engaged in a little too much of the penitent focus in our church life, this may be some needed balance, some fresh air that can breathe divine life into our hearts as well as delight the heart of our wonderful Lord.
Here are just a few passages (of many) that speak to it:
"His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior; the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love." Psalm 147:10-11.
"The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse, but he delights in those whose ways are blameless." Proverbs 11:21.
"The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy." Proverbs 12:21-23.
"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:1-4. What more could we want to do in this life than please our God?
In our Colossians passage, Paul continues with how we can please our God. He says, "... that you may... please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light." Colossians 1:9b-12.
Delighting, pleasing the heart of our God... How amazing is that?!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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