God's Proud of You
by Diane Watson
God must have been very proud of Jesus as He humbled himself to be baptised.
At this stage Jesus had only just begun His ministry, so God wasn't saying that He was pleased with Jesus because of His performance, but just in His humility and obedience.
As a parent I often have a glimpse of how God felt about Jesus. My youngest son, who has just turned 17, joined the Navy recently. When we went to his enlistment service and he was receiving his 'Certificate of Enlistment' I felt very proud of him. I felt like saying 'This is my son'. There are many times I've felt like that with each of my 4 children and my 2 grandchildren. 'This is my child; these are my grandchildren, whom I feel very proud of.' I get excited when I see them using their God-given gifts. My eldest son leads worship, my second son interacts with his children, and my daughter shares her journey with others and gives them hope to go on. I feel proud of them, not because of what they're doing, but because of who they are. I feel proud of their characters. They're humble and obedient before God.
We're all God's children. There are many times He must rejoice with the angels and be delighted when we put Him first in our lives, and when we love others, (as well as loving ourselves). God wants us to enjoy Him as much as He enjoys us. Perhaps if we've had harsh parenting we may feel God could never be pleased with us. But that's not true. The Father speaks these words over each one of us 'This is My child, whom I love. I am well pleased with you'. He's not pleased with us because of our service for Him, but because our hearts are seeking after Him.
Prayer: Father help me to understand Your love for me and to know that I am Your beloved child. Thank You that You love me, not for what I do but for who I am. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Diane Watson is Deputy Centre Director of Ellel Pierrepont. Her husband Paul is Centre Director of Pierrepont and Regional Director of Australia Pacific and India. They have 4 adult children and 8 grandchildren. Diane had the vision for the first Australian Ellel Centre at Gilbulla, near Sydney, and was its Centre Director for the first 5 years.
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