Delight Yourself Also...

My New Home Purchased 5/2010 - One desire of my heart.

Have you ever considered Psalms 37:4 closely? Its the verse where God says He will give us the desires of our heart. Sometimes I remind God of that scripture when I really, really want something. I remind Him of His promise but as I considered the scripture or "meditated" on it one night, I realized a few things.... Yes, God did promise that but there is a little something is missing. Part A of that scripture says "Delight thyself also in the Lord...".

First the scripture is written as a command. Not as a suggestion or as something that will happen to us beyond our control or when we're not enacting our will upon the circumstance. It tells us to do something. For instance if I said 'Celebrate your birthday'. Its not as if some uncontrollable force is going to cause you to celebrate your birthday. You have to make a choice. YOu have to plan a party, buy decorations, bake a cake, send invitations, put some music on and dance. Its all an act of your will.

To delight yourself in the Lord is the same. You have to choose to develop an appetite for His Word--it is an acquired taste. You have to choose to dwell in the temple - or the church with the other saints--yes, I do realize that its not always easy. You have to stoke the flames of your passion for His presence. These are things that you have to do to delight yourself in the Lord.

Only then does He promise that He will give you the desires of your heart. Once your heart delights itself in Him only then are the desires of your heart pure enough for Him to grant. Note that Jer 17:9 says that the heart is wicked and evil above all things. Do you really think that God would grant that heart its desires? Only a heart that is breathlessly in love with Him and to whom He has become its delight--only that heart will be granted its desires.

Notice that there is an 'also' in the verse. The word 'also' means in addition to. In addition to what? In addition to whatever was just said in the preceeding verse:

Trust in the LORD, and do good; [so] shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. (Psalms 37:3) Delight thyself also in the Lord and He will give thee the desires of your heart. (Psalms 37:4)

So King David commands:
1. Trust in the Lord
2. Do good
Result - you will dwell in the Land (of promise) and you'll be fed
3. Delight yourself in the Lord
Result -- He will give you the desires of your heart.

In addition to trusting in God and doing good, If I delight myself in Him also I'll have my hearts desires.

What is your heart's desire? Does it flow from a heart that beats for Him? Yes? Then rest assured be confident, that thing will be yours.