DIVINE HARMONY Integral to the will of God is His satisfaction, or good pleasure. He cannot confer a blessing against His will, or in a state of displeasure. The curse is consistently associated with the Lord's dissatisfaction. Onan, son of Judah through "a daughter of a certain Canaanite," was slain because he "displeased the Lord" (Gen. 38:10). The murmuring Israelites so displeased God that he sent a fire "among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp" (Num. 11:1). Other plagues and curses were said to have occurred because God was "displeased" (2 Sam. 11:27; I Chron. 21:7; Zech. 1:2). Blessings cannot be conferred while God is not pleased! -- Tomorrow:
Devotion 44 of 53
SALVATION'S HARMONY WITH GOD'S CHARACTER, #3
God Is Pleased
Unwilling to let man go, God dealt with His own displeasure in the saving of man. He did not ignore the fact that man had sinned. He could not simply clear him of guilt with an act of sovereign will. He could not be pleased with man while man walked contrary to His law. Here, the wisdom of our God broke forth. Because He loved the world, and desired to do good unto men, He sent His only begotten Son into the world. Jesus came on a mission to provide a just basis for man's acceptance.
While in this world, Jesus was "despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." As if that were not enough, "He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed" (Isa. 53:1-6). He assumed the responsibility for every vile thing ever committed by man. Every wicked thought, every act of rebellion, all disobedience – the responsibility for it all was laid upon Him – "in His body on the tree" (I Pet. 2:24).
Never before had sin in any form touched His person. He was in every sense "separate from sinners" (Heb. 7:26). He had never in any way transgressed or contradicted the law of God. Yet in His death, God "laid on Him the iniquity of us all" (Isa. 53:6). As that iniquity touched His undefiled spirit, it constrained His Father to forsake Him (Matt. 27:46). The sufferings inflicted at the hands of men were nothing to compare with bearing our sins and being forsaken by God. He "made His soul an offering for sin" (Isa. 53:10).
It is, however, the reaction of God to this experience that will determine whether or not it is valid. It is written – and God be praised for it – "Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He hath put Him to grief . . . the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand" (Isa. 53:10).
Jesus was openly declared to be God's Son at the very beginning of His earthly ministry. "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased," confessed the Father at Jesus' baptism (Matt. 3:17). He was further "declared to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection of the dead" (Rom. 1:4). The resurrection confirmed Christ's sonship, and proved the acceptance of His sacrifice. Jesus Himself experienced satisfaction in the fruit of His death (Isa. 53:11) – and so did His Father! An exalted Christ proves the acceptance of the atonement. His obedience "unto death" became the ground for God to highly exalt Him, and give Him "a name which is above every name" (Phil. 2:8-9).
This is the truth depicted by the apostles' doctrine concerning Christ's entrance into heaven. "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us" (Heb. 9:12). It was God who accepted the atonement. The redemption price was paid to God Himself – and it has been accepted! Thus God blesses man with salvation in perfect agreement with His nature. Blessedness comes from His good pleasure!
THE GOSPEL OF THE BLESSED GOD
Twice in scripture, God is called "blessed" – both times following the entrance of "the man Christ Jesus" into heaven (I Tim. 2:5). "According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God . . ." (I Tim. 1:11). ". . . Who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords . . ." (I Tim. 6:15). The second expression depicts both the Father and the Son – the Son specifically, and the Father indirectly.
The term "blessed," as used in these texts, denotes intelligent happiness or joy. It is the term used in the beatitudes – a word depicting a beneficial condition that is discerned and enjoyed. Such is the case with Jehovah as regards the death of Christ.
By Christ's death Satan has been cast down (Heb. 2:14), the law that was contrary to us taken out of the way (Col. 2:14), sin put away and condemned in the flesh (Heb. 9:26; Rom. 8:3), and a mighty deliverance accomplished (Gal. 1:4). God is joyous over the achievement! The Divine mission has been fulfilled without any compromise whatsoever. Now God, Who "delighteth in mercy" (Micah 7:18) can show it justly, freely, and without reservation. While He did not delight in "burnt offering" (Psa. 51:16), He does delight in Christ's offering. It is written that "Christ also hath loved us, and hath give Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savor" (Eph. 5:2).
God is joyful about Jesus' accomplishment! Jesus Himself is pleased with it! It remains for man to be pleased with it – for him to receive the glorious Gospel of the "blessed God."
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You that in Your Son I can approach You in confidence knowing that You are pleased with Your Son and with all who receive him, believing on is name.