Psalm 37:4
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
As Christmas approaches, millions of children are trying their hardest to be nice so that Santa will bring them every present their heart desires. Yesterday, I listened to a grandmother go through the litany of toys that her grandchild had requested… and most of them are going to be under the tree on Christmas Day! I have to tell you, I am so glad that Timothy is still discovering Santa Claus. He understands that he and Zola must be good and get along so Santa will visit them. But at least for this year, these children have no clue that they can ask for things and expect them! They will be thrilled with whatever surprises are waiting under the tree… and we have all chosen things we feel they need and will enjoy.
Let’s be clear… God is not Santa Claus – or vice versa. I do not mean to make light of our relationship with our Heavenly Father by this analogy. And our relationship with God is not based on whether we are “naughty or nice.” But at the same time, we ask God for all sorts of things every day… and many of us assume that we are “good enough,” He will give them to us. That’s one reason I love this particular translation of Psalm 37:4. It doesn’t say, “Be a good boy or girl, and God will give you everything you want.” It says, “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires.” There is a huge difference.
To take delight in the LORD means to find joy and purpose in serving Him… to seek HIS will for your life and to be about the business of pleasing Him. In return, God will supply all of your needs. The “heart’s desires” of a Christian should be to operate in love, peace and happiness while sharing Christ’s love and GOOD NEWS with others. It’s not about wealth and fame… or even “success”… and it’s surely not about material possessions. God knows what we need and how to supply our heart’s desires. If we seek to delight in Him, He will gladly do this for us.
So by all means, be nice this Christmas season. Believe in Santa Claus and enjoy whatever he leaves under your tree. But stay close to God… especially in the coming days. Ask Him to relieve your stresses and frustrations, and to supply your heart’s desires as you seek to be His servant on this earth. Focus more on sharing God’s love and care with others than on asking Him for personal gifts. Then be amazed to see how He blesses you out of His deep and abiding love for you…His faithful servant. “Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you your heart’s desires.” Will you recognize – and appreciate - them?
©2012 Debbie Robus
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