Sep 16 – PLEASE HIM ALONE!

“I know that you are well pleased with me” (Psalms 41:11).

Always have a desire to please God. Pray saying, “God, teach me to do things which are pleasing to you.” Find out what is acceptable to the Lord. Not only that. Implement the love you have for God.

Jacob, our forefather, had placed his love on Rachel. He was prepared to sacrifice anything for that love. To win over that love, he had to serve Laban for fourteen years as a slave. He toiled day and night as a shepherd (Genesis 29:18).

The reason was that Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance (Genesis 29:17). Not only that. Since she attracted Jacob greatly and so, the seven years of hard work seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her (Genesis 29:20).

Pastor Richard Wurmbrand had to suffer in prison for fourteen years as he decided to please God. He would have been released from prison if he had denied Jesus Christ. A few lies would have saved him from all the tortures. But, since he was very firm to please God, he had to undergo hardship and suffering for fourteen years.

When he was released, God said, “Son, for having placed his love on a girl, Jacob had to toil for fourteen years in his father-in-law’s home. He tended sheep for a wife (Hosea 12:12). But you suffered for glorifying the Name of God” and patted him in appreciation.

Look at Jesus Christ. As he decided to please God, he submitted Himself happily to carry the Cross. He came forward to accept the suffering after refusing to get relieved. He was crowned with thorns, pierced with nails and poured out even the last drop of His blood on the Cross of Calvary.

Since He resolved to please God on the cross, He was abundantly blessed. “God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).

Dear children of God, if you also firmly decide to please God, the suffering and hardships which you face in this world will not appear too tough for you.

To meditate: “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelations 2:10).