John 8:29-30

The Son had full assurance of the constant presence of His Father. In endearing terms, Jesus pleased His Daddy - always. Ever about His Father’s business, Jesus was on His Father’s mission – holding fast to His Father’s agenda – always in constant union as well as in glorious harmony of thought and deed with His Dad. The One who came to fulfill all righteousness did so perfectly and with His Father’s highest approval. I am reminded of Jesus’ baptism and transfiguration and God’s Words of commendation to the listening hearers:

16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." Matt 3:16-17 (NIV)

5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. "Get up," he said. "Don't be afraid." 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. Matt 17:5-8 (NIV)

As believers in Jesus, we should take heed of and follow our Savior’s actions knowing fully that Christ is our Supreme example as well as our constant encouragement. While Jesus performed all things perfectly, always pleasing His Father, we as His cracked clay pots should nonetheless be about pleasing our Father as well. Jesus has promised not to leave us as orphans – He will never leave us nor forsakes us - indeed, the One who sends us is with us – He being a “with us” Savior. His promise is to bestow upon every believer in Him the precious Holy Spirit Who not only convinces and convicts us of our sins but equips us to overcome them. The Spirit mightily and powerfully enables us to do God’s will consistently. There is nothing in the sinful natural man that allows us to continually live supernaturally apart from the indwelling of the Divine Holy Spirit. Human flesh alone will eventually fail each one of us as it is ever found wanting – we are simply not born into this world supernaturally prepackaged! This is why we are all desperately in need of a Savior. Jesus tells us:

15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:15-18 (NIV)

Christ set the supreme pattern for us of love manifested and fleshed out in obedience and He expects us to follow His lead. Jesus states what the world must learn from His actions in the following Truth:

29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. 30 I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, 31 but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. John 14:29-31 (NIV)

Isaiah had prophesized regarding the suffering Servant clearly describing His willing obedience to His Father as well as His reliance on His Father’s vindication:

6 I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. 7 Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. 8 He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me! 9 It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me. Who is he that will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up. Isaiah 50:6-9 (NIV)

Lastly and also vastly important, there lies an unearthly joy in pleasing and delighting the Father that none but His children can know. His loving heart continues to woo all men to Him as He is fully aware of what is best for those He created as well as what they ultimately miss out on by not having Him as their Father. Unfortunately, foolishly we often turn our backs on what would be our best.

“O my child, rest in Me. Yes, quietly settle down in My care, as a bird settles in a nest. For I am watching over you, and in love I will care for you. There is no danger with which I am unable to cope. There is no enemy too formidable for Me to handle. I am able to carry out all My purposes, and to keep you at the same time. Be not afraid; neither allow terror to strike at your heart. My power is at your disposal. My presence stands around you...” Frances J. Roberts

“I AM always before you, beckoning you on – one step at a time. Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, can separate you from my loving Presence. I want you to live your life focused on my Presence in the present. Since you know I am always with you – leading and encouraging you – you can live in that reality moment by moment. Your mind tends to leap over the present moment to the next task, ignoring the one that is before you and the One who is before you. During rare times when you are able to stay focused on Me, your work is infused with My Presence. It is no longer laborious but delightful: more like play than work. Living in collaboration with Me can be a foretaste of heaven. It is wonderful, though not easy: It requires a level of spiritual and mental concentration that is extremely challenging...This endeavor requires more persistent effort than anything else you have attempted. Yet, rather than detracting from your other activities, it fills them with vibrant Life. Whatever you do, do it for Me – with Me, through Me, in Me. Even menial tasks glow with the Joy of My Presence when you do them for Me.” Sarah Young

8 I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalms 16:8 (NIV)