April 15 TRUSTING YOUR DESIRES
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Ps. 37:4, R.S.V.
He was a conscientious young man, eager to leave behind all the habits and attitudes of his pre-Christian life. Having been very self-indulgent before his conversion, he knew that giving in to his desires could plunge him back into the hedonism he was trying to leave behind.
The result, however, was that making decisions as a Christian became an anguishing task. Any time he had any personal feelings involved with a choice, he was certain that those feelings had to be denied, since they were assuredly selfish desires. Yet most of the time the course of action he desired seemed to be good. And so he froze in indecision.
What freedom and joy he began to experience, however, when he discovered the essence of today's verse! He began to trust the promise that one really is changed by beholding Christ, and that the change includes basic desires of the heart. And he cherished the gem insight that God is not One who will forever tell us that we cannot have what our heart desires. Rather, He changes what we desire!
A new Christain is often rightfully distrustful of his wishes, for the habits of the old life die all too slowly. That which has for years brought him delight is not easily forgotten. But the Psalmist introduces a new ingredient into the believer's life--a new source of rapture. "Take delight in the Lord," David says. Be excited about your God. Be enthralled with the qualities of His person. Be drawn toward this magnificent Friend. Be fascinated with the way He does things for His family members.
The transforming power of a new affection will fundamentally change the kinds of things that bring delight to one's heart. God is too wise to give us the desires of our confused, darkened, self-serving hearts. But He is also too wise--and too loving--not to give us the desires of our transformed, enlightened hearts.
For what does a person desire who is enraptured with God, but deeper fellowship with Him, deeper involvement with His lifestyle, deeper interaction with His people? No wonder, then, that those whom God takes home with Him to enjoy eternal fellowship will do--throughout eternity--just exactly whatever their hearts desire. They will walk in perfect freedom, for there will be nothing in their hearts that needs to be denied!
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Ps. 37:4, R.S.V.
He was a conscientious young man, eager to leave behind all the habits and attitudes of his pre-Christian life. Having been very self-indulgent before his conversion, he knew that giving in to his desires could plunge him back into the hedonism he was trying to leave behind.
The result, however, was that making decisions as a Christian became an anguishing task. Any time he had any personal feelings involved with a choice, he was certain that those feelings had to be denied, since they were assuredly selfish desires. Yet most of the time the course of action he desired seemed to be good. And so he froze in indecision.
What freedom and joy he began to experience, however, when he discovered the essence of today's verse! He began to trust the promise that one really is changed by beholding Christ, and that the change includes basic desires of the heart. And he cherished the gem insight that God is not One who will forever tell us that we cannot have what our heart desires. Rather, He changes what we desire!
A new Christain is often rightfully distrustful of his wishes, for the habits of the old life die all too slowly. That which has for years brought him delight is not easily forgotten. But the Psalmist introduces a new ingredient into the believer's life--a new source of rapture. "Take delight in the Lord," David says. Be excited about your God. Be enthralled with the qualities of His person. Be drawn toward this magnificent Friend. Be fascinated with the way He does things for His family members.
The transforming power of a new affection will fundamentally change the kinds of things that bring delight to one's heart. God is too wise to give us the desires of our confused, darkened, self-serving hearts. But He is also too wise--and too loving--not to give us the desires of our transformed, enlightened hearts.
For what does a person desire who is enraptured with God, but deeper fellowship with Him, deeper involvement with His lifestyle, deeper interaction with His people? No wonder, then, that those whom God takes home with Him to enjoy eternal fellowship will do--throughout eternity--just exactly whatever their hearts desire. They will walk in perfect freedom, for there will be nothing in their hearts that needs to be denied!
RSS Feed
