“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)

Few verses are as precious—or as misunderstood—as these words. For years, I have pondered them and discovered a beautiful truth: delighting in the Lord is the remedy for every worry, every trial, and every longing.

What It Means to Delight in the Lord

To delight in something is to take great joy in it—placing it above everything else. When we set our hearts on God, making Him our greatest treasure, everything else finds its rightful place. As Jesus said in Matthew 6:33: “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Before this verse, Matthew 6 teaches us how to give, pray, and fast—not for the applause of people, but to honor God alone. If our motivation is human praise, we miss the blessing. But when we give quietly, pray sincerely, and fast humbly, God meets us in the secret place with His power and presence.

Giving, Praying, and Fasting with a Pure Heart

Are we giving to truly help someone and honor God—or to be noticed? Do we pray to commune with the Father—or to impress others? Jesus reminds us that obedience often comes before the feelings follow. And when we obey, God blesses.

Giving in secret transforms hearts. Prayer—whether private or in the fellowship of believers—draws us close to God. Forgiveness, woven into the Lord’s Prayer, keeps our hearts free from bitterness. Fasting opens the gates of heaven, aligning us with His will and releasing power into our lives.

I remember my first fast more than 20 years ago. It was quiet, unseen by others, yet deeply seen by God. What He poured into my spirit was more satisfying than the finest meal. Even a simple plate of green beans, eaten after that fast, tasted like heaven’s feast!

The Blessings of Seeking Him First

When we seek God above all, He relieves our anxieties and replaces fear with faith. Like Peter walking on water, we, too, can walk on water as long as our eyes are on Jesus. When we look away off of Him and onto the storms, we sink.

But His Word and Spirit remind us: He will never leave us. He knows our every need, owns everything, and gives generously out of His perfect love. Romans 8:28 promises that He is working all things together for our good and His glory to those who love Him, and to those who are the called, according to His purpose—these truths give us great hope.

Eternal Perspective

This life is the believer’s training for eternity. The trials we endure are temporary compared to the everlasting joy awaiting us. One day, if we live faithful and obedient lives, we will hear those precious words: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:23)

Missionary Betty Stam, martyred for her faith, once said:

“When we consecrate ourselves to God, we think we are making a great sacrifice and doing lots for Him, when really we are only letting go of some little bitsy trinkets we have been grabbing; and when our hands are empty, He fills them with His treasures.”

Conclusion

The world is fading, but Christ is eternal. As we delight in Him, our desires are transformed, and He fills our hands with treasures that will never pass away. So let’s encourage one another daily, live as faithful soldiers of Christ, and keep our eyes fixed on the Prize—Jesus Himself.

Onward and upward, dear friends. Keep delighting in the Lord, for in Him is fullness of joy and everlasting life.