September 12, 2019
Receiving the Desire of Our Heart
God’s blessings are so rich and abundant that we must guard against loving Him merely for what He gives us. He Himself is to be the greatest passion of a believer’s life. And if this is true of us, then we will prioritize Him over possessions, vocation, and even other relationships.
Yet some people miss the true message of Psalm 37:4 because they focus only on the part that seems to say they can get what they want from God. It’s important to notice that the qualifying statement attached to that promise is devotion to Him: “Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart” (emphasis added).
Although God “richly supplies us with all things to enjoy,” they should never supplant our delight in Him (1 Timothy 6:17). For instance, God has made it possible for me to travel and photograph some beautiful places, but I know that the key to enjoying life is to delight in Him above all else. God’s rightful place is as Lord of our life; to give anything else that position puts us at risk and dishonors Him.
The human heart is naturally selfish, and without God as top priority, we will likely pursue earthly goods and pleasures. But when He is our first love, those cravings are replaced by desires that fit His will and purpose for us.
Although David faced great tragedy and heartache, he understood that a heart devoted to the Lord also knows delight and blessing. Take David’s words to heart, and let the Lord become your top priority. You will discover that knowing Him is your greatest delight.
Bible in One Year: Daniel 1-2
