What makes God happy? This is an important question, and one that most people do not understand. In fact, such misunderstanding has been used as an argument against either God’s existence, or at the least His goodness. Such arguments are shallow, and do not accord with what we understand and apply to other parts of our society. Regardless, a proper discussion of the matter is important to establish some important truths.
In order to know what makes God happy, we need to know what makes Him unhappy! Consider the following:
“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,” says the Lord God. “Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord God. “Therefore turn and live!” (Ezekiel 18:30-32).
This call to repentance establishes two important truths. First, God cannot abide sin. It is so heinous as to warrant rejection by Him. Why? Because God is righteous! His character necessitates a very different view of sin than that evidenced by most humans. Consider a parallel. When a judge in our human courts disregards lawbreaking, and does not punish an evildoer, we regard that man as “soft” and “unfair” and to be criticized. But, when the fully righteous God of heaven sees fit to punish sin, we object! (cf. James 1:13-15; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7).
Second, such righteous judgment does not give God pleasure, as He loves all mankind. This is borne out in John 3:16. He doesn’t gain pleasure in “the death of one who dies.” Man is the pinnacle of God’s creation. He has been given free-will. He can choose to obey. When instead he chooses to disobey, God is displeased.
So, the answer to what makes God happy is easy. Obey Him! “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). As Samuel told Saul, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22).
God exists, and His willingness to judge man is evidence of His righteousness, not evil. His unhappiness when such judgment is necessary is evidence of his love for all mankind. His pleasure when we obey gives us the pathway to an eternity in heaven, in His presence!
