Isn’t it wonderful when God surprises us by answering a hoped-for desire in our heart? Reconciliation, healing, a house, a job, a church home, or financial hope are huge answers to prayer. Whatever you desired, the Lord provided. But we all know that is not the case in so many issues of life.

I believe if God could, He would answer every desire. But often the delays and the no’s are from His pure love for you and me. He is an omniscient God, seeing way ahead and all the way around a situation. Remembering His character can help us cope while waiting.

Since desires begin in the heart, sometimes we wonder, is this God’s idea or mine. At times, the wait for fulfillment is miserable, lasting many years. While God can respond fast, often He chooses to grow our devotion to Him, and even test our resolve. Again, His heart of love prepares us for what’s coming while He transforms us and draws us to Him.

Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” 

This verse sounds like a cliche’ because sometimes we believe we’ve delighted in the Lord for a long time, and a desire is still unmet. Why is that? One thing I’ve understood is the delight part of Psalm 37:4 is a command. That means the choice to delight in Jesus is an act of obedience. We are not manipulating God. The verse and its context have power.

Why?

I believe the reason for the command saves us from what is far more costly, our default: anxiety. Anxiety over a thing, person, or situation is idolatry. The Lord knows His children, and He knows when we delight in Him, we won’t obsess over a desire. Here He lovingly proclaims a way out of anxiety and idolatry.

The first of the Ten Commandments reminds us that God has nothing before Him. So, when we look to God and Him alone, supernaturally, He becomes our desire, and our desires become what He would desire for us. What is the outcome of that heart condition?

• We fall in love with Jesus.

• We trust Him with everything – the how, the when, the if, the way, and all sides of our desire.

2 Chronicles 16:9 says that God is looking to strengthen the hearts of those who are devoted to Him. I believe Psalm 37:4 is the definition of devotion to our God.

Amy Grant sang a song long ago, and the lyrics went like this:

The Lord has a will, and I have a need to follow that will, to humbly be still, to rest in it, nest in it, fully be blessed in it, following my Father’s will.*

WE HAVE AN ENEMY

“Satan is so much more in earnest than we are–he buys up the opportunity while we are wondering how much it will cost.” Amy Carmichael ~ Irish Protestant Missionary, 1867-1951

The enemy is laser-focused. He wants us longing for less, humming along, thinking we are following Jesus. We run to lesser things. Good things, and ways that make sense to us. The reality often is that we’ve missed opportunities that had our desires in them.

The choice of delight comes down to submission, giving Him control in our lives, and following His plan. A process of learning to love the GIVER (the person of Christ) instead of His gifts.

Indeed, throughout our lives, God does answer many of our desires. He loves us, and giving is in His nature to do. But we are deceived easily.

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9

Sometimes I pray, “Lord, help me not long for things that aren’t in your heart for me.”

Let’s get focused. Say no to the distraction(s). When our plans become about God’s plans and desires, we live in His delight, and are free.

©Valerie Rumfelt

*Songwriters: Barbara Hudson / Michael Vincent Hudson – The Lord Has a Will lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc