Putting a Smile on God's Face

"`I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the LORD" - (Jeremiah 9:24b, NIV).

How do you picture God? Do you see him as a big, bearded, white-haired man? Do you picture him in white robes? Do you imagine him to be tall?

What about his face? Wrinkled? Serious? Frowning? Smiling?

Actually, our pictures of God are likely to be different than someone else's picture of God, because those pictures come from our imagination. None of us really knows what God looks like. In fact, he probably doesn't look like anything we've ever seen before.

But I can tell you this--certain things make God smile. Certain things make his face light up. Certain things make his expression brighten like a kid unwrapping presents on Christmas morning.

You wanna know what those things are? You wanna know what makes God smile? Three of them are mentioned in today's Bible reading: kindness, justice, and righteousness. God says, "In these I delight" (Jeremiah 9:24b, NIV). In other words, when God sees kindness, he is delighted. When he sees you being kind to your little brother or sister, his face lights up like a candle. When he sees you comfort a crying baby, the expression on his face reflects delight.

Why? Because God values kindness. He delights in kindness. Kindness is one of his favorite things.

Of course, we kinda new that already, didn't we? Because God commands us to "Always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else" (1 Thessalonians 5:15b, NIV). And we know that God's commands reflect God's values.

So the next time you have a chance to be kind, take it--and put a smile on God's face.

Reflect: What does it mean to "delight" in something? What things delight you? How do you know God delights in kindness? Do you delight in kindness? Do you ever delight in unkindness? How do you think God feels when you are kind to someone else? How does it make you feel when you are kind to someone else? Think of at least two kind things you can do for someone else today. Then do each before the day is over.

Prayer: "Our Loving Heavenly Father, help me to put a smile on your face today by the way I act toward others and the things I do for them. . . ." Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, In Jesus Loving Name I Pray, Amen."