A word fitly spoken is like APPLES OF GOLD in a setting of silver – Proverbs 25v11
Today we continue in Psalm 37 on how not to fret about the seeming prosperity of people who do wrong. “Take delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart”.-v4. This verse has been twisted by certain religious charlatans who promise their followers that if you have enough faith God will give you whatever your heart desires because God wants you to be happy. When this does not happen their followers become cynical and disillusioned with Christianity. The truth is that it is dependent on our attitude and motive as found in James 4v3 “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures”. The previous verse in Proverbs tells us what is meant by “delighting” in the Lord namely to trust the Lord and do good, dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. When we are feeding on God’s Word, worshipping with God’s people and seeking to further God’s kingdom we have a mind set and heart that is Christ centred so our desires are what He desires and not what our natural man lusts after. What does Christ desire? I list a few
We become humble, not grumblers or arguers –Philippians chapter 2
We love each other
We share the gospel message
Grow the fruits of the Spirit
Glorify Christ in our lives
The more we read the Bible and grow in our faith the more our desires become less about our comfort and earthly prosperity and more about the glory of God and the extension of His Kingdom. When this is our delight we will ask rightly and God will indeed answer. Trust me He will give us far more than what we ask for.
God Bless
Graeme Greenwood