Psalm 37:4 says: Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your Heart.
This verse if often associated with prayer because it is in prayer to God that we ask for the desires of our hearts. Is this verse telling us that God will automatically give us the desires of our heart? The answer to that question is in the two key words: Delight and Desire.
The definition of delight is to please someone greatly; or to take great pleasure in something. Therefore, when we delight in God we are pleasing Him. What pleases God?
Placing our faith and trust in God pleases Him. Hebrews 11:6: But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Faith in God is not just acknoweldging that He exists, but includes putting our trust in Him, identifying Him as real and the true author of our lives.
Obeying God's word pleases Him. 1 John 3:22: And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. God's commandments are not just the famous Ten Commandments, but His teachings are found throughout the Bible.
Doing good things and sharing with others pleases God. Hebrews 13:16: But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Following the example of Jesus Christ pleases God. John 8:29: Jesus said, "And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him." The life of Jesus models for us what pleases God. Following Jesus' pattern in life will help us to see what pleases God.
A life apart from God does not please God. Pleasing God starts with us loving Him and loving the things that He loves and hating the things that He hates. God loves mankind but God hates the sin that mankind lives in, so God gave mankind His Son that He loves so much. We know from John 3:16 that God's Son, Jesus Christ, sacrificed His life in order that we do not have to be stuck in sin. We can be free from sin: free to love like God loves, free to obey God, and free to delight in Him.
Jesus' sacrifice allows for mankind to talk to Jesus, to let go of their sins (those things that God does not delight in), to ask for forgivness of their sins, and to join Jesus' family. You have the opportunity to call God your Heavenly Father. He is the absolute best Dad you can ever have!
Delighting in God is a choice. Everyone has the opportunity to delight in God if they would like. How will you delight in God today?
If you would like more information on how you can start a relationship with Jesus or if you would like prayer today, please send us a message through our "Prayer" page.
We will be praying for you!