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The Pleasure of God

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 28, 1910

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 87, No. 17.

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The Pleasure of God

By CHAS. P. WHITFORD

CHAS. P. WHITFORD
“THOU art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Rev. 4: 11.
The text states that all things were created for God’s pleasure. Then is not God selfish? We answer most emphatically, No. “God is love” (1 John 4: 8), and “love seeketh not her own.” 1 Cor. 13: 4, 5. Love is always seeking to promote the happiness of the object loved. Then it follows that the pleasure of God was the giving of life to intelligent creatures that he might have the privilege of loving them and promoting their happiness throughout eternity.
“The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.” Jer. 31: 3.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3: 16.
“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Heb. 7: 25.
Nothing can be more evident than that God loves us, but do we love him? Nothing but love will satisfy love, therefore if we answer the object of our creation, it will be necessary to give God our hearts’ best affections and the best energy and strength of our lives.
Miami, Fla.