Third Timothy

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.” (Psalms‬ ‭37:4‬)

You can have anything you want—if you want what God wants. A friend of mine said she never thought of “delighting” in the Lord; it wasn't a word she used in describing the relationship. So it's worth a discussion.

The dictionary defines DELIGHT as, “a high degree of pleasure or enjoyment; joy; rapture” and “something that gives great pleasure.” Think of God in those terms.

I've taken the time to consciously look at a flower or a cloud or an animal—things that were created at a lower level than mankind—and marvel at the detail and beauty. God, the same God who formed us, spent a great deal of his creative juices in designing and producing the world we live in. I delight in him. He is amazingly thoughtful and loving in everything he does.

And because I delight in him, when I ask him to show me more of himself, to reveal the deeper meanings of his Word, he does. It's that simple. And the petty things of this world become so much less important. The desires of my heart change, and this verse is fulfilled.

“Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.” (Psalms‬ ‭119:35‬)

Every trouble in life starts with your feet. Look down and see where you’re standing and it will give an indication of why you have or why you don’t have peace and joy.

Joseph was sold to slave traders. Jeremiah was thrown into a well. Esther was placed in a king’s harem. Peter was chained between two soldiers. But all were in the perfect place of God’s appointment.

The presence of peace does not mean the absence of pain. Being joyful frequently includes tears. Walking in the way of the Lord sometimes leads to a cross.

But God is doing bigger things. Take time to look back along the path and see the plan and purpose of your Creator. And you will also see what happened when you got sidetracked. Stay on the path.

“Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” (Revelation‬ ‭21‬:‭3‬-‭4‬)

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, they are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬)