"But the foundation of the happiness of God is the sovereignty of God: “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases” (Psalm 115:3). If God were not sovereign, if the world He made were out of control, frustrating His design again and again, God would not be happy. Just as our joy is based on the promise that God is strong enough and wise enough to make all things work together for our good, so God’s joy is based on that same sovereign control: He makes all things work together for His glory. If so much hangs on God’s sovereignty, we should make sure the biblical basis for it is secure."

Piper, John (2011-01-18). Desiring God, Revised Edition: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist (p. 33). Random House, Inc.. Kindle Edition.


"Another moment’s reflection reminds us that this is exactly what we affirm when we affirm the eternal divinity of God’s Son. We stand at the foothills of mystery in all these things. But the Scriptures have given us some glimpses of the heights. They teach us that the Son of God is Himself God: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). “In him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily” (Colossians2:9). Therefore, when the Father beheld the Son from all eternity, He was beholding the exact representation of Himself. As Hebrews 1:3 (RSV) says, the Son “reflects the glory of God and bears the very stamp of his nature.” And 2 Corinthians 4:4 (RSV) speaks of “the glory of Christ, who is the likeness of God.” From these texts we learn that through all eternity God the Father has beheld the image of His own glory perfectly represented in the person of His Son. Therefore, one of the best ways to think about God’s infinite enjoyment of His own glory is to think of it as the delight He has in His Son, who is the perfect reflection of that glory (John 17:24–26). When Christ entered the world and proceeded to fulfill all righteousness, God the Father said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). As God the Father contemplates the image of His own glory in the person of His Son, He is infinitely happy. “Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights” (Isaiah 42:1). Within the triune Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), God has been uppermost in His own affections for all eternity. This belongs to His very nature, for He has begotten and loved the Son from all eternity."

Piper, John (2011-01-18). Desiring God, Revised Edition: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist (pp. 43-44). Random House, Inc.. Kindle Edition.

blogs to return July 9th