andrew dodson

I’ve started reading John Piper’s When I Don’t Desire God. I’m only a few pages into it so far. Early in the book, he distinguishes between “delight” and “desire,” and how these terms apply to our relationship with God. For both terms, he steers us to Psalm 37.

Psalm 37:4

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

Many times in life, we desire certain things - a new job, new car, stable relationships, better relationships. By nature, we get frustrated or disappointed if these things don’t work out. It’s interesting in this verse that we’re first told to delight ourselves in the Lord and then we’ll receive the desires of our heart. If we’re in tune with God, we’ll only desire things that are pleasing to Him. This makes it all the more easy for Him to grant us these desires.

Psalm 37:5

5 Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.

Once again, we’re first told to act toward God, before He’ll act toward us. Do you see a pattern developing here?

Psalm 37:7

7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
over the man who carries out evil devices!

Then, we’re instructed on a fruit of the spirit - patience. Our desires may not be granted overnight. Many have waited years for healing, restoration, or blessings for their toil. But, in our faithfulness, by waiting for Him and keeping His way, we will be exalted:

Psalm 37:34

34 Wait for the Lord and keep his way,
and he will exalt you to inherit the land;
you will look on when the wicked are cut off.

Our fight to delight in the Lord is not easy. We will face troubles. We will face persecution & spiritual warfare. But, thank God for this:

Psalm 37:39-40

39 The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
he is their stronghold in the 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.