Week Thirty-Seven - What Do You Want?

One of the first verses I claimed as a young Christian was Psalm 37:4, "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." I didn't have any big tangible desires like a huge house or a fancy car, but what I wanted was the intangible: happiness, contentment, joy in knowing my life was good and blessed by God. My delight was to serve, to be a part of the church family, and to see God at work around me. 

As time went by, God planted further desires in my heart. I wanted to be a missionary, and He granted me that desire. I wanted to have a happy home and raise children who would become good citizens and love the Lord, and He gave me that desire. I wanted to remain faithful in the ministry He had given me, and for over forty years, He has met that desire. How could I ever doubt He would continue to bless as I continue to delight in Him?

What we long for matters. If our attention and focus on life remain solely on the tangible, that may be all we have. We cannot take cars and houses with us when we leave this world. One storm, one flood, one fire, as we have so lately seen, and they are swept away. But what we focus on that is intangible and eternal can never be taken away from us. 

Psalm 37:37 reads, "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace." Do you want a peaceful life? Then your focus will be directed toward a blameless life. The approval of others is not your concern. The approval of God is your priority. And when our desire or focus is shifted to Him, we enter a world of peace. The striving to please or appease others ceases, and God becomes our peace.

Psalm 37:39 reads, "But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble." The desire for righteousness leads to strength in troubled times. When we face hard times or find ourselves at odds with others, we run to the Lord, knowing He will give us strength and wisdom to endure or forgive. He is the lifter up of our head, our shield, and protector. When our desire is for righteousness, we walk carefully and thoughtfully.

Psalm 37:40 reads, "And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him." Trust isn't usually our automatic response when faced with wickedness. We typically want to fight or run, but the Lord asks us to trust Him. Sometimes we may be required to speak up. At other times, we must remain silent. But no matter, our trust must be in Him, not ourselves. He promises to help and deliver; we must trust that promise. God is delighted when we trust Him.

Do you desire peace? Strength? Help? If so, God promises to grant those desires. The only prerequisites are delight and trust. God will never fail to keep His promises, so you can safely put your delight, joy, and hope in Him. 

Jesus gives us this promise about the things we want in Matthew 6:33, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." 

Psalm 37:23 reads, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord; and he delighteth in his way." Is that what you want? For God to delight in you? Then set your delight in Him, and watch what He can do!