Re:Verse passage – Psalm 37:1-40 (day five)
It may be one of the most incredible promises in the Bible- God will give you the desires of your heart. No denying it is in the scriptures. How can this be true? What is God really promising?
I think we need to ask another question or two in order to answer these questions. How do you see God? Or in other words, What is your view of God? Is God a genie in heaven granting you wishes? Whatever we want, he gives and does? Is God a cosmic grandfather who is easily persuaded or caves into all our requests- wants us to be happy and is able and willing to spoil us above and beyond anything else. These may seem silly or extreme, but I have visited with lots of people (some who claim to be believers) who have this view and mindset.
The key to understanding the promise, is to consider its context. Two words are key. Delight and Heart. While affection is certainly a part of delight, the scriptures indicate that determination and discipline are also facets of delighting in the Lord. Determination and discipline to Learn about Him, Love Him, Know Him deeper. The scriptures also describe the heart as the place where priorities, values, decisions, desires, affections, and convictions are formed and ultimately shape and influence our thinking, feeling, and character (to name a few). So yes, when we delight in God and our hearts are renewed and reshaped by the Spirit- our desires become His desires. We see Him as a gracious, loving, sovereign God whose values and priorities become ours. And what we then begin to desire and ask for (shifts and transforms), becoming what He wants and desires for us. And God is promising to give us those things.
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Amen, Amen!