How to Attract God’s Smile

This Sunday, the pastor posed an emphatic and critical question to the church: “What Makes God Smile?” This is such an important question when you think about it carefully.

God created us for Himself and longs to take due pleasure in and through our lives — Psalm 149:4.

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” — Revelation 4:11.

Our ultimate and primary purpose on earth is to enjoy and glorify God. Anything that comes between us and this end is idolatry.

In this post, I share excerpts from Pastor Steve Haslam’s message on 5 ways we can consistently attract the smile of our heavenly Father.

[1] Prioritize and put God first

God takes delight in us when we love Him above all else. Matthew 6:33 challenges us to seek God and His kingdom first in all our pursuits.

It may not look like it on face value but a closer look at Psalm 42 reveals the Psalmist was actually prioritizing God over and above his emotions in his darkest moments.

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

We honor God when we put Him first and this indeed attracts His favor.

[2] Trust Him daily

No relationship can thrive without trust, notwithstanding the challenges. Trust is the product of relational intimacy.

We learn to trust the One we know and love, and the more we know and experience God (not just His works), the more our trust grows — Psalm 147:11 // How to Attract God's Smile Click To Tweet

We delight God’s heart when we trust Him completely regardless of our prevailing circumstances.

It doesn’t mean we don’t feel or express our pain but, through it all, we magnify Him above our pain.

Learning to trust God is a lifelong journey. Each day is a battle to trust that God is good, faithful and far more glorious than anything that the enticement of sin can offer us. And indeed, He is — Proverbs 3:5-6.

[3] Obey Him wholeheartedly

Obedience delights God’s heart. Parents expect obedience from their children. Why would we think it different with God?

To obey God is to honor Him and our obedience must be wholehearted and complete. It’s the natural response of a heart that has been deeply forgiven and has known God’s love — John 14:15, Psalm 119:33-35.

In a recent post, I wrote about the prophet from Judah whose obedience was tempered with ‘some’ disobedience and the consequence was tragic.

We can’t ask God to bless us and NOT live like He tells us — Pastor Steve Haslam

Obedience may not always be easy but it’s always non-negotiable. That’s why we need grace each day.

[4] Praise Him continually

Praise is the recognition that God is sovereign over all, yet cares for us. He delights in us when we are generous with our gratitude to Him.

Thanksgiving does not come naturally when we are going through the trials of life. But He still commands praise nonetheless.

A thankful heart pleases God and attracts His favor — Psalm 69:30-31

[5] Be available and use your gifts

“And for all the work to be done by craftsmen, gold for the things of gold and silver for the things of silver. Who then will offer willingly, consecrating himself today to the Lord?” — 1 Chronicles 29:5.

When we make ourselves available and use our God-given abilities to serve Him, we put a smile on God’s face.

If we fail to use our gifts, it could have eternal consequences for us and those we are sent to serve in the body of Christ and in our wider communities.

But service begins with availability. When we avail ourselves to God, then He can and will use us for His glory.

Photo by Scancode Productions on Unsplash.