Week Fourteen - Making Jesus Glad

I'm not necessarily a people-pleaser, but I love making people happy. Sometimes, in my desire to create happiness, I overdo it a bit and become annoying or interfering, even if my main motivation is to create happiness. 

I got to thinking about this a bit when I read Spurgeon's comments on a little phrase found in Psalm 45:8, which reads, "They have made thee glad." He challenged his readers to think about how to make Jesus glad and offered four beautiful suggestions.

We can gladden the heart of our Saviour by expressing our love. Just as we love to hear words of loving affirmation, Jesus, too, longs to hear our sweet whispers in His ear.  "I love thee, Lord, and I lift my voice to worship you. Oh, my soul rejoice," as the songwriter wrote. 

I know our efforts to love Jesus will never outweigh God's love for us, but our expressions comfort us and delight our Lord. Have you told Him you love Him today?

Our praise gives Him joy. The melody of our heart flowing with deepest gratitude becomes a sweet-smelling savor.  It is called the fruit of our lips in Hebrews 13:15-16. "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."  Well pleased, meaning gratified entirely. When we recognize and praise the Lord for all He does and who He is, He finds joy and gladness.

Our gifts, used for His glory, bring Him joy. God loves to see us lay our time, talents, and substance upon the altar. The loving motivation that springs from such sacrifices gladdens His heart. Our lowly offerings and humble service, done from a heart desiring to please the Saviour, are of great reward.

And Spurgeon's final suggestion was that our holiness brings joy to Jesus' heart. It is like frankincense and myrrh to Him. Spurgeon writes, When you "forgive your enemy, you make Christ glad; distribute of your substance to the poor, and He rejoices; be the means of saving souls, and you give Him to see of the travail of His soul; proclaim His gospel, and you are a sweet savor to Him; go among the ignorant and lift up the cross, and you have given Him honor. " When our lives are lived in holiness, all heaven rejoices.

So today, dear friend, how will your life bring joy and gladness to your Saviour? How will you express your love? Will your tongue sing and speak praise? Is there a gift or service motivated by a heart desiring to please your Lord? And is your life living in holiness before Him so all can see the Light?