PSALM 37

1 [A Psalm] of David. Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. 3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring [it] to pass. 6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. 7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret–[it] only [causes] harm. 9 For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth.

PSALM 37:1-9

DELIGHT YOURSELF IN THE LORD

Is it possible to seek pleasures that are too small? I imagine it’s that way for those who love the scent of coffee but can’t stand the drink. They settle for the intoxicating aroma, but they miss the glorious taste of a fresh well brewed cup of coffee (Dark Roast!). Okay so maybe coffee isn’t the illustration. I think C.S. Lewis compared it to children turning down the chance to go on a vacation at the beach because they were too busy making mud pies in the slums. Or maybe this will make sense, what if I enjoyed the smell of my wife’s perfume, but snubbed my nose at her company? You would say that I’m missing something! I’m missing everything!

So it is when we find delight in things that God has made, and made for us to enjoy, but neglect our enjoyment of Him. David counsels us to delight ourselves in the LORD. That is where true and lasting delight comes from. The desire to enjoy more of the LORD is not fantasy, but completely attainable. We can be delighted in the Lord and the Lord will give us the desires of our heart, which is more of Him!

Like any parent who enjoys seeing their children pursue the noblest and best thing, God delights in rewarding us when we seek him (Hebrews 11:4). God delights in giving himself to us! There isn’t a more precious, valuable, wonderful or awesome thing in the universe that we could delight in other than the one who called it all into existence. We were created to delight in the glory of God.

PRAYER

Father, I delight myself in you today! I run after you with all that I am. All my heart, soul, mind, and strength. I long for you alone to fill the empty spaces of my heart and mind. Let me be completely delighted in you today. Thank you for the millions of ways you are at work in my life, help me to glimpse just a few that my heart might be delighted with you. Don’t let me pursue the smaller pleasures of life so much that I miss the real treasure of walking with you. Let me not be so broken that I call it a pleasure to pursue something that is really just pain and misery. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.