“Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart”
(Psalm 37:4)
Reflection:
The Lord never intended to be a distant monarch who, if humankind paid Him an acceptable homage, would leave them alone to do as they wished. He created us for an intimate relationship with Him, within which we could grow and develop. He wished to bless and prosper us from the abundance of His love and to receive from us the joy of our love and trust.
It is from this background, and from his knowledge and experience of the Lord, that the Psalmist encourages us to make the Lord the primary focus of our thoughts and life – and to take delight, to get immense joy and satisfaction, in doing so. This is not merely to try and get what we want. It is because it is so worthwhile having God in that place in our lives. When He is we will learn just how special the relationship can be and how God does wish to bless us.
Habakkuk had this in mind. Although all else could be lost God would always remain as our greatest treasure.
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Saviour.” (Habakkuk 3:17-18)
God know all the longings of our hearts – the good desires, the unhealthy and unhelpful ones, and those that are just fun and normal. He will also be aware of which will fit in with His plans, which won’t and which will not influence them one way or another. Because He loves us we will find that He is even blessing us in ways that are purely personal – just as a father would look to delight his child by a special gift or opportunity.
We do not love God and honour Him for what we can get out of Him. We love and delight in Him for Who He is and for what He is. As we do so we discover that, whatever else He might give to us, His love and His presence are all that we could desire and more than we might imagine. He will reveal them to us out of His love for us as individuals. We can trust Him in this.
Response:
Seek more of Him through Scripture, prayer and looking at His creation.
Prayer:
Father, I need help if I am going to delight in You like this. Please help me to know you better and to involve you in more of my life. Amen.
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The Soaring Eagle 