Delight Yourself in the Lord
Posted on July 18, 2017 by Graeme Wilson in Freedom Fighters
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalms 37:4)
To take delight in means to find ‘a high degree of pleasure, or satisfaction of mind; joy’; and there are many things provided to us we can delight in… Like competition, entertainment, achievements, food, sex, beauty, justice, or leisure. But the problem in just focusing on these is that they are all insatiable, meaning they do not completely satisfy and have to be endlessly sought. Ultimately they all produce boredom because they cannot provide what our heart desires the most… contentment.
When we understand that these ‘enjoyments’ are provided to us by our Creator and are to be participated in as ‘by-products’ of our relationship with Him, then each gift would take their rightful place as something we should show gratitude for. Jesus said our Heavenly Father knows all that our heart desires, and that if we sought after Him above all else, understanding that everything has its origin in Him as ‘Absolute Perfection’, And therefore, we made Him and His righteousness our first priority; then, everything else would be added to us. (Matt 6:33)
This is the consistent message throughout the scripture. When we live by God’s perfect design, there will be joy for evermore, peace that passes all understanding, strength for the day and rest for tomorrow. David, the song writing shepherd, described it as ‘lying down in green pastures and near quiet waters that restores my soul.’ (Psalm 23)
The person who delights in the Lord is the one who understands the power of prayer and God’s Word and makes both a priority in his life… above all else. It is only these people who will truly know a ‘high degree of pleasure’ when content to find rest in God’s presence.
Choose Wisely….
“Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.” (Psalms 1:1-3)
Praying 4 U
Written by David Brown: David Brown is a husband, father, and grandfather with a Masters of Religious Studies and a Professor of Philosophy and Comparative Religions. Dave is a member of Pemberton’s First Baptist Church.
The Daily Bible Reading: 2 Kings 6-10| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here
Daily Quote: “Our only business is to love and delight ourselves in God.” – Assorted Authors
This Week’s Verse to Memorize:
“But to You I have cried out, O Lord, And in the morning my prayer comes before You.” Psalm 88:13
Want to get away & have dedicated time to read & learn God’s Word?
Consider a retreat at America’s Keswick retreat center.
