“Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. Psalm 37:4-5 (NLT)

I love this verse. It has profound significance in my life. Interestingly though, I’ve noticed we often refer to the first portion of the scripture without considering the second. There is great hope and promise found in this passage, but there is also instruction. There is a call to action.

First, we are to delight in the Lord. The word translated “delight” comes from a root that means “to be brought up in luxury, to be pampered.” I love Warren Wiersbe’s commentary. He explains that “The word ‘delight’ in this portion of scripture speaks of the abundance of the blessings we have in the Lord Himself, totally apart from what He gives us. To enjoy the blessings and ignore the ‘Blesser’ is to practice idolatry. In Jesus Christ, we have all God’s treasures, and we need no other. If we truly delight in the Lord, then the chief desire of our hearts will be to know Him better so we can delight in Him even more, and the Lord will satisfy that desire! This is not a promise for people who want ‘things,’ but for those who want more of God in their lives.”

Second, we are to commit all our ways – everything we do – to the Lord and trust Him. These two conditions are required to make sure our hearts and motives are holy. Our steps of obedience and action precede the promise. From this scripture, we understand that when our heart’s desires align with God’s and our trust is secure in Him; we will enjoy His help and witness the fulfillment of our desires.

So, how do we do this? You can begin by coming before the Lord asking:

• Do my desires align with your Word?
• Have I surrendered the outcome?
• Am I placing my hope and joy in Christ first?

Then, pray! The Lord will never, never rebuke a pure and surrender prayer. The scriptures guide us in praying for God’s good and perfect will in every circumstance.

Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

James 4:7 “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

James 4:10 “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

Jeremiah 10:23 “LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.”

Proverbs 23:26 “My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways..”

Matthew 26:39 “Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’”

Psalm 9:10 “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.”

Is there something in your life you want so badly that it supersedes the desire to know God and grow close to Him? Is there something you pray for but don’t see Him responding to? Have you considered your desires thoroughly to make sure they line up with God’s best for you? He will never give you something that won’t ultimately lead you closer to Him. What are your deepest desires today? How can you draw near to God and allow Him to meet you there to satisfy them?

Prayer:

Holy, mighty, living God, I deeply desire to commit ALL my ways to You. My heart longs to unconditionally trust you and find my hope and peace in Your Word. You have a powerful and loving plan for my life and the lives of those I love. When I’m tempted to grasp for control or get in the way of your greatest good, please help me get out of the way. May I never hinder your plans by seeking my own? I ask you to cause me to keep my gaze on you, Jesus, my good, good guide who always keeps me on the straight and righteous path. It’s in your saving name, I pray. Amen.