Vertically Focused

Psalm 37:4

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (ESV)

How do you express delight in the Lord?

Delighting in the Lord is not only about taking pleasure of being in his presence, but finding joy in his teachings, love, and grace. It goes beyond the surface-level satisfaction derived from worldly things. Spiritual delight is the filling of our hearts in a way that only God can provide. This verse can be easily misunderstood. Often, we focus on the promise it holds rather than the profound spiritual practice it encourages. True delight in the Lord draws us closer to him and aligns our desires with his will.

Although this scripture says God will give us the “desires of our hearts,” it doesn’t necessarily mean that he will grant us a luxurious new car or a big house just because we asked. Possessions acquired from the world are temporary and don’t bring satisfaction. Although our hearts may yearn for material things, it's important to remember that worldly desires are fleeting, but the value of delighting in the Lord is everlasting. The essential point of our faith is to align our desires with God's will. Anything else aside from Christ is meaningless; delighting in the Lord is where we find our eternal treasure.

1 Timothy 6:6 beautifully encapsulates this truth: "But godliness with contentment is great gain.” When we remain vertically focused, he will always meet our needs. Let us not be swayed by the fleeting allure of worldly desires but instead, seek the imperishable contentment that comes when we delight in him.

Are your desires aligned with God’s? How do they compare to his word?

How does your abiding in Christ increase your contentment?

Father God, I want only to delight in you. Please align my desires with yours and give me an eternal perspective. I trust you and thank you for being with me and helping me accomplish what's best for my life. I pray that you help those who don't take the opportunity to delight in you. Open their hearts and help them understand that you are the true source of their delight and it is only through you that their lives will be complete. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.   

Scripture References: Job 34:9; Psalm 145:19; Isaiah 58:14; Matthew 22:37 John 15:7,16; 1 Thessalonians 5:16