It’s crazy how easily we can talk ourselves into wanting to be more, have more, and do more. For me, it happens the most when I let the world creep into where Jesus should reside instead. Psalm 37:4 says, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Taking delight in the Lord means that our hearts truly find peace and fulfillment in him. If we truly find satisfaction and worth in Christ, Scripture says he will give us the longings of our hearts. The idea behind this verse and others like it is that, when we truly rejoice or “delight” in the eternal things of God, our desires will begin to parallel his and we will never go unfulfilled.

Many delight in wealth, status, material possessions, and other temporary things of this world, but they are never fully satisfied. They never truly get what they want, hence the reason they are always wanting more. Tempation — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — comes not from the Father, but from the world which seeks pleasure. "The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever" (1 John 1:27).

We will never be deeply fulfilled or “happy” with the things this world has to offer. But, if we place our joy and hope in God first, he will meet all of our needs. Have you trusted God first in your life? If not, do so today and receive the desires of your heart.

Father God, help me to keep my eyes fixed on you, and to look to you only for true delight and pleasure in life. Amen.

Go Deeper ― Think about what gives you pleasure in life. Then ask yourself: do you receive it as a gift of God or do you pursue it outside of His blessing?

Read Further ― What is your heart fixed on having? Discover why a Disicpline of a Fixed Focus on God is a great thing.



Tags: We Love Our Writers Psalm 37
Photo Credit: Michael Felton