Does God smile

When Beverly, the leader of our bible study group, asked, ‘does God smile?’ I realized that I had
never considered this concept, but naturally, her question sparked my curiosity.
We know that God is a Spirit so how can He smile? We learned, also, from the Old Testament,
that He expressed the emotions of displeasure, anger, and frustration, with hard hearted and
rebellious people. Consequently, the idea that God smiles should not have come as a surprise.
God smiled when He created you, His precious child. He was excited and overjoyed when He
molded our first parents out of the dust of the earth. He allowed them the freedom to roam and
enjoy His garden, Eden, which He had prepared for them. He, then, gave them dominion over all
things on the earth. Can you imagine the overwhelming love God experienced as He looked upon
His children? Adam and Eve were the first people whose presence must have brought a smile to
the face of God. Nevertheless, they wiped that smile off God’s face when they disobeyed Him
and succumbed to temptation by Satan. (Gen 3:6-7).
Only one man, named Noah remained faithful to God. He was the only righteous man who found
grace in the eyes of the Lord. He obeyed God and endeavored, always, to please Him. (Genesis
6:8, 22). God destroyed all wickedness on the earth by a flood but saved Noah and his family.
The first thing Noah did, when the flood waters had abated, was to offer a burnt offering to God.
(Gen.8: 20-21). God breathed the sweet aroma of Noah’s offering.... and smiled.
God smiled at the baptism of His Son, Jesus, by John the Baptist. “This is My beloved Son, in
whom I am well pleased.” (Matt.3:17). Assuredly, God did not utter those words with a frown on
His face but beamed with the pride and joy of a father, as He beheld His Son…. so He smiled.
When Jesus hung, dying on the cross, He said,’ Father it is finished.’ He meant that, by His
crucifixion and death on the cross, He had accomplished that for which the Father had sent Him
to earth. He had redeemed mankind, therefore, returning us into favor with God. . It was done
…and God smiled.
God smiles when we worship, praise, and exalt Him above all things. At such times, He
experiences great joy. He does not desire our praises for selfish reasons but to return that joy to
His children, one hundredfold. When we glorify God, He bathes us in His glory. Whatever joy
we give to God, He returns the favor. Let praise and worship to God be the first fruits of your
lips.
God smiles when we show our love for Him by loving others. ‘Love one another as I have loved
you.’ He wants us to trust Him and have faith in His goodness because ‘without faith, it is
impossible to please God, for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a
rewarder of them that, diligently, seek Him.’ (Heb11:6). Do not begrudge God your offerings
but give abundantly and willingly, and you will prosper in all ways. Utilize your God given gifts
to glorify Him. Let your way of life bring joy to the loving heart of God... and always... put a
smile on that beautiful and wonderful face of God.

copyrighted 9/8/2012. m.okubo