What brings God joy?

He wants us to know joy—not circumstantial happiness, but the deep and unshakable joy He gives, rooted in an awareness of His presence. Joy that keeps us going in good times or bad, because we know who is ultimately in control.

But what brings a smile to His face?

The simple answer is us, His people.

For the Lord delights in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. (Psalm 149:4) 

In Scripture, we’re often referred to as “sheep” (Psalm 100:3). Sheep require constant care to survive and thrive. If left alone they easily wander off and get in trouble.

In A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23, W. Phillip Keller explains a common problem  sheep get themselves into when they roll onto their backs and cannot get themselves up again—the dilemma of a “cast” sheep.

Keller writes: 

A cast sheep is a very pathetic sight. Lying on its back, its feet in the air, it flays away frantically struggling to stand up without success. Sometimes it will bleat a little for help, but generally it lies there lashing about in frightened frustration. 

If the owner does not arrive on the scene within a reasonably short time, the sheep will die. This is but another reason why it is so essential for a careful sheepman to look over his flock every day, counting them to see that all are able to be up and on their feet. If one or two are missing, often the first thought to flash into his mind is, “One of my sheep is cast somewhere. I must go in search and set it on its feet again.” 

In what is commonly called the parable of “the lost sheep,” Jesus goes in search of what may have been a cast sheep. The outcome elaborates on God’s greatest joy.

If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 

And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders.

When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’

In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! (Luke 15:4-7)

The Good Shepherd will go to great lengths to find a lost or perhaps a cast sheep—one that has wandered off and gotten in trouble.

He will joyfully carry that sheep home on His shoulders, rejoicing that it was lost but now found.

God’s great pleasure is His people—those who endeavor to walk in His truth, may at times wander off, yet return to Him again and again.

 I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth. (3 John 4) 

Praise God for our Good Shepherd, whose watchful care brings us home to His presence. May we live in such a way that we bring a smile to God’s face and great joy to His heart.

Copyright © 2015 Cheryl Elton

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