Pleased

Reading in the Psalms one day, I came across a verse that usually wouldn’t get much of a notice. Psalm 40:13:

Be pleased, O Lord, to save me;
     O Lord, come quickly to help me.

I wondered how God would exhibit being “pleased.” Would He laugh or chuckle to Himself like an earthly father planning a special treat for his son or daughter? Would He smile and just enjoy thinking about how wonderful His servant would feel when delivered from the trouble he or she carries?

This thought encouraged me to look up other scriptures about the pleasure God feels with us. Jesus said to His disciples in Luke 12:32:

Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

And in 1 Corinthians 1:21, the Apostle Paul states that:

God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

It appears that God takes pleasure in showing His ability to take the “little,” the “foolish” and the impossible for His glory and the blessing of His people. So I went back to the verse that first caught my attention. Psalm 40 was written by David and expresses the pain, dire circumstances, and absolute ruin he faced. He was at the end of his rope. He had no hope but God. How wonderful to hear his prayer for God to come quickly, but also to “be pleased” (to have fun doing so!)

It increases my faith to remember that God takes pleasure in helping His people, no matter how insignificant, how ridiculously undone they are. What joy to know He takes pleasure in our relief and loves to see how we acknowledge His hand in our rescue.