How to Make Jesus Smile

Chuck is a new man.

After 30 years of attending church, God has recently made him alive in Christ. Everything’s new to Chuck (not his real name). He’s excited about Jesus and all he’s doing in his life. Last week he told me something that made me smile and I’m sure it made Jesus smile.

Chuck’s business partner left not long ago, and the business has been struggling. On top of all the company’s other troubles, a disgruntled customer was suing them for a large amount of money – enough to sink them if they lost the suit. Chuck was certain they had served the customer with integrity, but going to court is like rolling the dice. You just don’t know what will happen.

On his way to the hearing Chuck prayed this prayer. “Lord Jesus, I pray that you’ll let things go my way today, but no matter what the outcome, I’m going to praise you either way.”

Can you see Jesus smiling? “I’m going to praise you either way.” When Chuck told me this, I felt like leaping for joy. Incredible – a new believer and he gets it: God is good either way. God is sovereign, wise and loving either way. God is worthy of praise either way.

That’s why David says, “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth (PS 34.1).

How pleasing it is to Christ when we decide to praise him at all times. It’s easy to praise God in prosperity. But when we praise him in the deserts of life, it shows that he alone is our satisfaction, joy and delight. How this glorifies him. So go ahead, make Jesus smile today. No matter what happens, praise him either way.

By the way, Chuck won the case.

photo by Marcelo Gregorin Coelho