Have you ever sat down and made a list of things you want? If someone came to you and told you seriously to give them a list of things you want and you could have it, but you had only 15 minutes to provide it. Would you be able to provide it?
If your answer is no, then how do you get the desires of your heart if you don't know that they are.
For those that have created a list (I have!), have you analyzed it to determine if the items listed are committed to glorifying God?
I went through mine one day. One of the items is this home I want. I was very specific. VERY specific. (Read Planning for Above All - Specifics mean I've actually thought about it.). And one day I asked myself, how will this home glorify God? If he sends my family and I to the nations, who will sleep there? It will be empty. So did I really want it. Is it my heart's desire? I looked around my current home and said this is what I need. I don't need more (see take everything and Part 2 of this series. Less is more!).
So I said, Lord, if it is your will for me to have this home I have specified, I sure will take it (along with the staff to maintain it) but I don't need it. But if I got it, it will definitely be from you! People will know it's from you. They will see You in it and give You the glory. Maybe I'll share the space with needy families! (Although I want a set of homes for that!)
But I had to readjust myself and ensure 'my way' was committed unto the Lord!
Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. Psalms 37:4-5 KJV
I delight myself in the Lord day in and day out! Do I believe I shall have what I want. Sure do. But there's a principle here: to get it, I have to rest in this knowledge.
Let's look at a different translation.
Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass. Psalm 37:4-5 AMP
Wow! Roll and repose each care of your load on Him! Trust in Him and He will definitely do it.
I love this version. Why? Because it means give it to God and labor to rest (see the peace series - Resting in Peace).
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. [Jer. 6:16.] For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good–not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne. Matthew 11:28-30 AMP
This passage was originally spoken by Jesus to the heavy burdened who had to keep the Pharisees additional 'laws' in order to be deemed righteous via their heavy system of works. Later He rebuked the Pharisees for adding these burdens to the people (the law was already too hard to keep and they added more?!?).
The scribes and Pharisees sit on Moses' seat [of authority]. So observe and practice all they tell you; but do not do what they do, for they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy loads, hard to bear, and place them on men's shoulders, but they themselves will not lift a finger to help bear them. Matthew 23:2-4 AMP
But if we lay our burdens on Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to mold us into the image of Jesus, then the burden we carry today will be released and we can rest! (Some how we keep going back to resting so someone must not be resting....let it go!). Plus as we become more like Him, our desires will match His desires for us perfectly. 😉
So back to Psalm 37, 4 and 5, if we give him the desires of our heart, commit them to Him for His glory, and completely rest, I guarantee you, you will have the desires of your heart.
One thing I have learned is we blame God for everything we don't receive: healing, deliverance, prosperity (in whatever form). But really we have a part to play in things. The Word lays out a very simple (I think we are never supposed to use the word simple as it is relative, but oh well) formula to have what you desire:
1. Delight yourself in the Lord - find peace in Him
2. Commit your ways in the Lord - REST!!! Give it to God and rest and he will handle it. His plans for you are perfect (Jeremiah 29:11)
3. Trust Him - have confidence that he will take care of it. Have I said REST lately?
Follow all three parts and you will have the desires of your heart! For the mathematician/programmers/logical people like me:
Formula
1+2+3=EVERYTHING
This world can never satisfy our true needs. It can only provide material things that are temporary. When the temporary thing is not enough, we find ourselves wanting more and never really satisfied. But if we delight ourselves in Him, our deepest desires will be met! They will be provided above all we could ever ask!!!!
But whoever takes a drink of the water that I will give him shall never, no never, be thirsty any more. But the water that I will give him shall become a spring of water welling up (flowing, bubbling) [continually] within him unto (into, for) eternal life. John 4:14 AMP
Drink and never thirst again!
Always!
Keiyia JOYet George
Are you struggling to rest? Leave a comment below so that I may intercede on your behalf. 1+2+3=EVERYTHING! Have you made your list yet! How has it changed over the years as you become more like Christ and less like the world?