There is a great promise in Psalm 37, from which we can take great comfort if we follow the instruction that is presented.
Psalm 37:4 (ESV) — 4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Before we run off and focus on “the desires of your heart,” let’s back up and notice the context of the promise along with the instruction. Going back to verse 1, we see the temptation of focusing upon the world and those who have not regard for God yet seem to have more than enough of the luxuries of life. But notice how the psalmist used the word, “fret.” The word carries the meaning of worry or being anxious and could even get to anger out of frustration.
Psalm 37:1–2 (ESV) — 1 Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! 2 For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb.
The solution is to take seriously the word of God to “fret not” by remembering our view of things from a “heavenly perspective” means we keep in mind the brevity of life here, including the life of luxury the world may flaunt in our face. Our citizenship is in heaven, wherein dwell perfection and beauty.
Philippians 3:20–21 (ESV) — 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
1 Corinthians 2:9 (ESV) — 9 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—
Back to Psalm 37:4. The instruction is to delight yourself in the Lord. In the context, instead of focusing upon the luxuries of the world around us, we are to focus upon. Christ and find our delight in Him.
John 14:6 (ESV) — 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
What is so delightful about that?
Ephesians 1:3–6 (ESV) — 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
Every blessing that flows from God’s grace to us flows through the Lord Jesus Christ. As the old expression of grace as an acrostic: GRACE = God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.
Notice then how the KJV presents Ephesians 1:6 — 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
We are accepted in Christ. Does that bring you delight? It should when you consider that without Christ, there is no acceptance, rather a state of being dead in sin, without hope
Ephesians 2:11–13 (ESV) — 11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Even as we pray, we must realize that without Christ, we could never enter God’s presence and present our petitions. However, because of the Lord Jesus Christ as our priest, we can come with confidence to God’s throne of GRACE.
Hebrews 4:14–16 (ESV) — 14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Is He your delight? Without Him, we have nothing, are nothing, and can do nothing. But through Him we have grace and help to follow His ways and enjoy His presence.
Philippians 4:13 (ESV) — 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
John 15:5 (ESV) — 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Now to the desires of your heart that He has promised to give to you when you delight in the Lord. Some would tell you to go to God and ask for anything you want but that misses the first part of the verse of the Lord being our delight. When He is your delight and you really are delighting in Him, HE is the desire of your heart. And If HE is the desire of your heart, you’ll not be fretting about what others have or do, your focus is on Him, the ONE who loved you and gave Himself for you.
Matthew 7:11 (ESV) — 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker, Pastor
Christ Community Presbyterian Church
Clearwater, FL
Check out Bob’s podcast called The PowerBreak Podcast, wherever you download podcasts or from his website: www.bobbrubaker.com.
