https://odb.org/2024/07/01/serving-at-the-pleasure
To those of us who have studied law or are involved in law enforcement, we are acquinted with the phrase “at the pleasure of,” and it is usually used in the context of detention. Thus, if a minor is convicted of a penal crime, he can’t be imprisoned but will be detained at the pleasure of the YDPA (his majesty, the King of Malaysia). This practically means he will be sent to a correctional facility, but not a real prison.
Likewise, if an adult commits a crime but pleads insanity and the court agrees that he was not of sound mind at the time of the crime, he will be committed to a mental institution at the pleasure of the YDPA. In the case of the minor, he may be released when he reaches adulthood and for the insane person, when his mental condition is under control. But in the latter case, he may never be released at all.
When someone serves at the pleasure of the Prime Minister, or the President of the United States as in today’s ODB life story, it basically means it’s a political appointment which terminates when the appointing person is no longer in office.
However, when we serve Christ at the pleaure of God, it will never end because God is immortal while we are mortal in relation to our life here on earth. It basically means our service is for God and His purposes, and it is until our dying breadth.
We just heard a very illuminating sermon yesterday of the parable of the talents. When read with the parable of the 10 virgins and taken in the context of Jesus’s teaching on His return, it means that we can not be only waiting and not serving. While we are to be prepared for His return, we need to serve Him by making full use of the talents and gifts He has given us. Thus, we need to serve Him at His pleasure so that when He returns, He will be proud of us as true and faithful servants of God. Not a question of success but faithfulness to our calling and appointed role in His Kingdom of Grace.
Serve Christ at the pleasure of God in order that God’s plans and purposes may be fulfilled in our lives! That His sovereign will may be done here on earth as it is in heaven!
Have a great and wonderful week ahead, everyone, and may we live in the fullness of His will! Amen!
Ronnie's Thoughts 