Delight in the Lord
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. – Psalm 37:4 ESV
Delight in the Lord.
Easy to do when life is soaring and the view is clear.
photo: Raye Wortel
Delight in the Lord.
Easy to remember when prayers are answered and providence reigns.
photo: Raye Wortel
“Delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:3)
Never do we want the desires of our heart to burn brightest, than when they don’t.
When they’re dim and frustrated, it’s hard to delight in the Lord.
We’re like fair-weather fans; groaning and complaining and wringing our hands with the same forgetful and fretful spirit as the desert wanderers of old.
Delight in the Lord.
How?
How can we eclipse our circumstances with joy and contentment in the Lord?
Psalm 37 is a wonderful chapter to read when you’re in a period of fretting, and it’s here where we also find how to delight in the Lord.
“Trust in the Lord and do good.” (v. 3)
Remember my friend, he has begun a good work in you (Philippians 1:6). Trust in his mindfulness of you, and don’t take matters into your own hands.
“Commit your way to the Lord.” (v. 5)
A daily charge to roll our cares and concerns upon God, and choose his higher ways. (Isaiah 55:9).
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” (v. 7)
There is no easy path – no way around to the other side. But if it were impossible, the Lord would not ask us to do it.
“Refrain from anger and turn from wrath.” (v. 8)
There is no justice in our anger – no action motivated by wrath that will bring about peace.
“The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just.” (v. 30)
Believer and beloved, God is sowing us with goodness. Our words are an outpouring action of goodness, and our conversations hold more consequence than we might think.
“The law of their God is in their hearts.” (v. 31)
The seeming impossibility of being still, having patience and wisdom, seeking justice, trusting, hoping, and doing good are learned only in God’s Word.
“Hope in the Lord and keep his way.” (v. 34)
Charles Spurgeon once said, “Wait in obedience as a servant, in hope as an heir, in expectation as a believer.” The hardest thing to do sometimes is hope. May our motto be “ever onward”.
“Consider the blameless, observe the upright.” (v. 37)
When it all seems too daunting to delight in the Lord, seek out and watch those who know a peace deeper than your own. It’s not an insult to ourselves to learn from them.
And above all may we have joy there is a God, he has revealed himself to us, and he is ours by the work of the cross. Delight in his beauty, abundance, and compassion, and be satisfied with his loving-kindness through all the high and low places.
How do you delight in the Lord?