Psalm 37: How To Receive The Desires Of Your Heart

Psalm 37 speaks about receiving the desires of our heart. How can a believer receive the desires of their heart? The answer is found within Psalm 37.

The Desires of the Human Heart

Every human alive has a desire of their heart. They aspire to be, they hope to become, they strive to do, something that is in their heart. An intense desire burns within every human heart to have an answered prayer from God or to have a special purpose or be used by God. Some desire that their spouse be saved or that they return to the love that they once felt, while others pray for their prodigal children to return to the Lord or be saved in the first time. Every one of us has a deep, heartfelt desire. What is yours? Is it something that is missing in your life? Is it an addiction to overcome? What besetting sin can you not overcome? Are you going through financial difficulties or struggling with health? There are many today who have already received the desires of their heart. How did they do it? Or better yet, how were they able to have their prayers answered by God and receive the desires that they have longed for? I have found this desire in myself. Have you? If so, what is your desire? A better question is “How does a person receive the desires of their heart?” God clearly says that there is a way to receive the desires of our hearts and it is found in the Bible and perhaps it is stated no more clearly than in Psalm 37.

The Omnipotent God

This Psalm declares the omnipotence of God. Just read these very specific and power words used in reference to attaining the desires of our hearts that involve the mighty hand of God and all of which are all found in Psalm 37:

In God we are to trust, to wait, to rest, to delight, to commit, to know, and to have patience. If we delight in Him, here is what we may receive; our delights, His peace, His safety, His stability, His provisions, His guidance, His protection, His deliverance, firm footing, a secure future, a refuge, no worry, no poverty, and He will give you the desires of your heart. The key to receiving the desires of your heart is in Psalm 37 and at the end of this article I will more specifically address what you can do to receive the desires of your heart from God. You might discover that your desires and His desires are the same or that your desires may be different than you first believed. When our desire to please God is aligned with our prayers, God can answer our prayers in surprising ways that reflect the love, power, and sovereignty of our omnipotent and benevolent God:

Psalm 37 is a Psalm of David

1 Do not worry because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong;

2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.

3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:

7 Rest before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

19 In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.

23 If the LORD delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm;

24 though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

25 I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.

28 For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off;

31 The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip.

34 Wait for the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.

37 Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace.

39 The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.

40 The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

How Jesus Delights in our Obedience?

When my children were young and they did all that I asked them, I was delighted. I would often give them something special, make a delicious treat, or surprise them with something special. That was my reaction when my children took delight in pleasing their father. Now, imagine how God must feel when we delight in Him? Jesus said that if we love Him we will do what He says (John 14:15). This is why Jesus told His disciples, and in effect, He tells us “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. If you love me, keep my commands.” This does not mean that Jesus promises us everything we want but everything we need. He said “and I will do it…if you keep my commands.” That is why we can ask “anything in [His] name” but only if it is according to His will, not ours. This is a promise, not a quid pro quo for “If you do this, I will do that” but if you obey Him, He will answer your prayers but whatever we ask must be in accordance to His will and for His glory.

How We Delight in God

How do you delight in the Lord so that you may receive the desires of your heart (v. 4)? What is delight? Here is the definition and when you read it, just imagine that God is the focus and subject of your delight. Delight is: A great satisfaction and joy; something (or someone) that gives great pleasure; to satisfy greatly; to please. And that is the key to finding the desires of your heart. Take great pleasure in God’s goodness. Take joy in your salvation. Let Him satisfy your every need. Please Him in all that you do. Live contented with what you already have. Desires take time. This is where the words of Psalm 37 are clear; wait, rest, trust, and know. If you delight in the Lord, He will give you the desires of your heart. He is a God Who Himself delights in giving us our desires. If you delight in Him, He will give you the desires of our heart.

Conclusion

God delights in being generous to His children. He wants to give us the desires of our hearts. The real question is will we delight in Him? Will we trust Him to give us what is best and provide us with all of our needs, not all of our greed’s? Think of God as your Father, which He is, and now think how you pleased your earthly parents. What did they take great delight in concerning you? They certainly delighted in you when you did what they told you to do, when you behaved as they wanted you to behave, and when your focus was on delighting them. Now, apply that same principle to pleasing or delighting the heart of your Heavenly Father. If you truly delight in God, He will grant you the desires of your hearts. Then, in God you can trust, wait, rest, and commit yourself to Him. If you delight in God He will give you the desires of your heart.

Another Reading on Patheos to Check Out: What Did Jesus Really Look Like: A Look at the Bible Facts

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book  Blind Chance or Intelligent Design available on Amazon