Living for the Lord’s Pleasure

The Purpose of Living for God’s Pleasure

Our purpose this morning is to examine how we can live for the Lord's pleasure. There are two essential aspects: the necessity of being pleasing to the Lord as a duty of every Christian, and the profound benefits and privileges that come from it.

Many times we think we know the right thing to do and pursue it out of routine or obligation. But Scripture prescribes activities for Christians that coincide with benefits and privileges extending beyond salvation. Have you considered the treasures and rewards we're storing in heaven? There are abundant blessings Christians experience in addition to salvation, all encompassed by living for the Lord's pleasure.

It's a great place to be as a Christian—to live in the pleasure of the Lord. That's the right place, the intended place. The whole purpose of creation is God's glory. Why would a triune God, infinitely happy in eternal fellowship, create creatures? He knew humanity would fall into wretchedness, yet He created to magnify His glory through just condemnation and merciful redemption in Christ. The good pleasure of God is why He creates and why He saves.

Knowing your purpose as a Christian is the avenue to contentment and satisfaction in life.

God's Indictment and Grace (Micah 6:1-5)

Arise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice. Hear, you mountains, the indictment of the Lord, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for the Lord has an indictment against his people, and he will contend with Israel. “O my people, what have I done to you? How have I wearied you? Answer me! For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and redeemed you from the house of slavery; and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. O my people, remember what Balak king of Moab devised, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him, and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord.”

The Lord masterfully constructs an irrefutable argument against His people. You're drawn into the courtroom of the Lord, and it's not a good thing. We often argue with God: “I shouldn't have to experience this. This is how things should be.” Are we ready for God to argue back? His response is merciful: “Trust Me. I know what I'm doing.”

“O my people, what have I done to you? How have I wearied you? Answer me.” This is emphatic—think back through your life. What has God done? Is His grace and goodness enough?

For Israel, God brought them up from Egypt, redeemed them from slavery, and sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. The acceptable response: “You have been gracious to me.”

Great grace in redemption from slavery. Though we weren't in Egypt, we were enslaved to sin—the house of slavery in our day. God redeemed us, purchased us from bondage, and brought us into new life.

God sent Moses, who spoke mouth to mouth with God as a friend and mediator. Aaron, the high priest offering sacrifices to restore fellowship. Miriam, prophetess and worship leader. Despite their failures, their legacy rested on God's grace through them—not their performance. The Faith Hall of Fame proves the life possible by faith.

Remember when Balak's curse through Balaam turned to blessing, renewing God's covenant embrace. Three displays of great grace form God's undeniable premise.

The greatest motivation for future blessings is remembering past ones. God was there, working all things for good, sending His Son to die for your sins—not potentially, but actually. Faith is realizing Jesus died for your sins. Knowing God is for you produces trust for the future.

God exists in the eternal present, yet knows your future problems and is already there, working them for good. Embrace a God who transcends understanding and rest in His goodness.

The Lord is a great God of great grace, granting great redemption.

The People's Plea and God's Requirement (Micah 6:6-8)

With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

The people plead: What shall I bring? Burnt offerings? Thousands of rams? Rivers of oil? My firstborn? Even child sacrifice seems extreme, like Abraham with Isaac. But what's wrong? It's 100% outward expression—my righteousness, my works. No inward heart for God.

It's like asking, “What mask should I wear to be acceptable?” They missed God's prior instructions on sacrifices. Recall Cain and Abel: Cain's offering required his hands' work, but the issue was his heart—not focused on God's good. If inward reality matched, it would have been fine.

It's not our duty to invent ways to adore God. Abide by what He says pleases Him. Paul says: Whatever you do, do for God's glory—even brushing teeth: “Lord, thank You for provision and a clean mouth.” Routine becomes opportunity when heart motivation is present.

Growing up, taking out trash or cleaning my room felt horrendous—obligations. But if I truly loved and treasured my parents, it swelled excitement: an opportunity to serve those who've done so much. Joyful obedience hinges on valuing the lawgiver.

Any ministry without this motivation leads to burnout. Outward humility without inward reality is pre-packaged pride—fishing for compliments.

Performing God's law without inward affection is legalism. Jesus exposed this: Outward acts without heart are nothing. “If you've thought it, you've done it.”

They want God as prize, but through works, not Christ's. Micah echoes Deuteronomy 10:12:

And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

Fear the Lord: Healthy respect, awe at His majesty—like a charging Kodiak bear. Then He protects: Walk in His ways, imitate Him, love Him, serve with all your heart and soul.

Chronology: Fear grips with awe, grace builds to walk, love, serve—motivated untiringly.

Matthew 12 illustrates: Pharisees accuse disciples of Sabbath-breaking by plucking grain. Jesus cites David eating showbread, priests “breaking” Sabbath yet innocent. “Something greater than the temple is here. I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”

God requires justice (righteousness by His decree, not self-devised), love kindness (loyal love, mercy—commitment with warm affection), and walk humbly (prepare to walk with God: die to self, suppress pride, treasure Him).

Jesus took all demands so you receive all enjoyment. These flow from God's qualities in Christ: His justice, loyalty, humility.

The Necessity and Privilege

To summarize: The necessity of pleasing the Lord—it's what He wants, what salvation is. The privilege: Enjoying it. Through highs and lows, knowing your heavenly Father is well pleased carries you. That's the safest place to be.