Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

If I were given three wishes, a chef, maid, and an unlimited vacation budget would probably top the list. A growing trend teaches me that I already have what I want, I just have to manifest it. I can experience my best case scenario by wooing it to myself, using tools such as focus, intention, hard work, and the universe.

Being able to control my reality and get what I want by doing things my own way sounds temptingly empowering. But if I think about it a bit more, I’m not sure I want the pressure of relying on myself or taking a chance on a fickle universe. What happens when unavoidable difficulty comes my way?

And how do I know if what I want is truly what I need? What’s genuinely good for me? What will actually satisfy me? Jeremiah 17:9 tells us our hearts are deceptive and wicked. James 4 tells us we often ask for things out of selfish ambition and corrupt motives. I can look back on things I wanted years ago and see now they wouldn’t make a bit of difference to me now. I see how the disappointment of closed doors has dissipated and how those closed doors were actually a big blessing.

Psalm 37 speaks to this perfectly. The general theme of the chapter is to remain faithful to God even though it seems the ungodly are prospering. In those days, it seemed like those who rejected God and his ways were rocking their lives. It seemed that they were getting ahead by doing things their own way.

But the Psalmist reminds his readers things are not always what they appear. Those who reject God seem to be prospering but their lives are transient. They may get what they want, but in the end, it’s ultimately meaningless.   

Things aren’t much different today. It seems like we would be happier if we became the goddesses of our own lives, and created what we want when we want it, instead of waiting on the Lord. It seems like those who chart their own course and live by their own rules are the ones on top. It seems like we should follow suit.   

The truth is God – the one true God and Creator of the universe - has something so much better for us: a vibrant relationship with him through Jesus. A relationship where he provides what we truly need. One where we receive from him simply because he loves us, not because we work hard, follow all the right steps, or attract his blessings to us. A relationship that will last for all eternity, not just a few decades like the lives of those who reject God’s invitation.

He wants us to delight in him. To trust in him. To commit our way to him. To rest in him. To enjoy the blessings we have in him, like salvation, immeasurable value, significance, meaning, true love, mercy, grace, and peace. To truly delight in the Lord means the chief desire of our heart will be more of him. And this desire will be satisfied every. single. time.  As it’s been said, “Longings fixed on Him fulfill themselves.”

To delight in the Lord and his ways means the desires of our heart, our deepest longings are shaped by him and aligned with His perfect will. And the Lord tells us he will satisfy these desires. This seems like a breath of fresh air and a weight off my shoulders. Not only does God shape my desires to what’s actually good for me, he fulfills them based on his faithfulness, not my performance. And it’s the desires met in him that will truly matter when it’s all said and done.

What’s significant to you about God wanting you to delight in him?

How does his promise to shape and meet your deepest longings impact your desire draw near to him?