To please God – Part 1 (Faith)

The one thing I hope to achieve in my life is to please God in all I do. I want to stand in front of Him, on that day in eternity, and hear the words:’Well done, my child.’ Despite the other dreams and desires I have, this is my biggest mission in life.

During the last couple of days, I was challenged anew on this. My family has been going through a tough and trying time where God has been testing us. He has been stretching our faith in terms of His provision, His vindication, and dealing with fallible people. This past week has been no different, with this season continuing for 19 months or so, now. We know that God has something good, new, and better on the other side, and we can testify of God’s faithfulness, love, and kindness during this time. Though we do not yet see the breakthrough with physical eyes or have answers to the questions, we cling to God.

This week we are being challenged again to trust God for His provision. We have been obedient and doing our part. In the natural, it looks bleak, uncertain, and disappointing. But in the midst, I fight with prayer and the Word of God to keep my faith and eyes on Him and not on our earthly circumstances. Then God brings a verse across my daily devotion that I have read many times and shared with others. Without faith, it is impossible to please God…

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:5-6‬ ‭AMP “By faith [that pleased God] Enoch was caught up and taken to heaven so that he would not have a glimpse of death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD HAD TAKEN HIM; for even before he was taken [to heaven], he received the testimony [still on record] that he had walked with God and pleased Him. But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.”‬‬

It was as if it struck for the first time. If I want to please God, I need to have faith in Him. Not just believing in God, as the one and only God or for my salvation, but personal faith in Him. To put my trust in Him, again and again, and again, without fail. Thus, in this wilderness time, God is taking me to a deeper level of faith and trust in Him.

I had to take a closer look at the definition of faith in Hebrews 11. On that same day, I discovered a new course presented by John Bevere about faith. What a confirmation from God!

Hebrews‬ ‭11:1‬ ‭AMP “Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].”‬‬

It is like the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to a new, personal experienced meaning of a faith that pleases Him. Faith is being sure of what we hope for, certain of what we do not see. It is like Paul wrote to the church of Corinth, that our lives are lead by our faith, that faith of Hebrews 11:1, and not by what we witness with physical eyes.

2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:7-9‬ ‭AMP “for we walk by faith, not by sight [living our lives in a manner consistent with our confident belief in God’s promises]— we are [as I was saying] of good courage and confident hope, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. Therefore, whether we are at home [on earth] or away from home [and with Him], it is our [constant] ambition to be pleasing to Him.”

This faith, which is pleasing to God, means trusting Him above all. When facts or circumstances say otherwise, I need to have the default of trusting in God’s goodness, wisdom, and power. It is not like I did not have faith and trust before. In this season, God is taking my faith deeper and making it stronger than before. This expansion of my faith, where I am learning to earnestly trust Him, is pleasing to Him. This is a time where He is cultivating in me that which He longs for the most.

When the world and earthly facts want to scream panic, fear, disappointment, and worry, I need to believe that God is for me, will take care of all my needs and more. God keeps His Word and His promises. I pray it, believe it, and say it over and over. It is to have faith with conviction and trust in the God Himself Who has promised it all. This is a test of my true reliance on God for everything for me and my family. In the end, it will produce all God desires in me which will be pleasing in His sight.

I do not know what you are facing at the moment. Are you also in a wilderness season? You are not alone. Seasons change, and this will also pass. I pray that this post has encouraged you to keep faith in God and what He promises for your life. May that please Him greatly.

Stay resolute my friend.

Talita

VERSE IMAGE OF THE WEEK