The Desires of Your Heart
Date: September 20, 2023
I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional.
B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Voice and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases
S - Summarize and Share
You can read more about it by going to: What is a Faith Journal?
B - Bible Verse: "Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." - Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
L - Listen for God's Word and pray: Dear Lord, I come before you with a heart full of gratitude for the promise in Psalm 37:4. Help me, Lord, to truly delight in you, to seek you above all else, and to align my desires with your will. I trust that as I do this, you will grant the desires of my heart in accordance with your perfect plan. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
E - Explore the History and Meaning: This verse is part of Psalm 37, which is attributed to King David. In this psalm, David offers guidance and encouragement to those facing difficult circumstances, reminding them of God's faithfulness. It emphasizes the importance of delighting in the Lord. When we find our joy and satisfaction in God, our desires become aligned with His will. This verse isn't a guarantee that we'll receive everything we want, but rather a promise that when our hearts are centered on God, He shapes our desires to be in harmony with His purposes.
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases:
"Delight in the Lord": To find joy, pleasure, and satisfaction in a relationship with God.
"Desires of your heart": The things we long for and seek in life.
In this verse, "delight in the Lord" means making God the source of our joy and contentment. "Desires of your heart" refers to the desires that align with God's will when we prioritize Him.
S - Summarize and Share:
This verse has a special place in my heart. It's like a gentle reminder from God that He not only cares about our needs but also about our deepest desires. There have been moments in my life when I felt overwhelmed by my own plans and ambitions, and I forgot to seek God's guidance. It's in those moments that I've stumbled and realized that true contentment doesn't come from my own striving.
Instead, it comes from seeking Him first, aligning my heart with His, and delighting in His presence. It's like a loving Father telling me, "I've got this. Trust in Me, and I'll fulfill the desires of your heart."
In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in chasing after temporary things, isn't it? But I've learned that when I intentionally seek God's kingdom, make Him the center of my life, and align my desires with His purposes, that's when life becomes truly fulfilling. It's not about abandoning my dreams; it's about realizing that my dreams find their true meaning and fulfillment when they are rooted in Him.
So, as we journey through life, let's remember this beautiful promise. Let's trust in the Lord, seek Him daily, and find delight in His presence. He knows the desires of our hearts, and as we draw closer to Him, He will lead us toward paths we couldn't have imagined on our own.
Bible Cross References
Psalm 145:19 (NIV): "He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them."
Matthew 6:33 (NIV): "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Proverbs 16:3 (NIV): "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."
1 John 5:14-15 (NIV): "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him."