Jan 31 – The Desire of the Heart!

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

The Lord delights to fulfill the desires of your heart and bless you. Some imagine that only when they cry out, will God hear them—so they cry for everything, at all times. A little child cries for anything and everything to draw its mother’s attention. That is natural. But if that same child grows up and still cries in the same way, the parents would be displeased.

Yes, there are moments when true tears flow in prayer without our realizing it. But to think that only by weeping God answers our prayers, is a mistake. Children of God who have grown spiritually learn to obtain every blessing through their praise.

Hannah wept for years because she had no child. Yet during all those sorrowful years, her prayer was not answered. But one day, she poured out her whole heart before the Lord and left her burden entirely in His hands. The Scripture says that “her face was no longer sad” (1 Samuel 1:18). The Bible records that Immediately afterward, “the Lord remembered her… she conceived and bore a son” (1 Samuel 1:19–20).

Beloved, delight yourself in the Lord. Joy reveals your faith and your trust in Him. Rejoicing shows that you have cast all your burdens and anxieties on Him. The God who created everything out of nothing will work a new wonder for you. The God “who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did” will speak new things into your life.

Look at the Old Testament temple dedication. The Word says: “Indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers (one hundred and twenty of them) were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord… saying: ‘For He is good, for His mercy endures forever,’ that the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud… for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God” (2 Chronicles 5:13–14).

In the New Testament, consider Mary. Though she was from a humble, poor family, how her heart was filled with joy! She burst into praise: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior” (Luke 1:46–47). Her whole being—spirit, soul, and body—overflowed with divine joy. Her praise was so powerful that even the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaped with gladness.

Dear child of God, when you praise the Lord, the triumphant sound of salvation will fill your dwelling. Hallelujah!

Verse for further meditation: “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple… praising God and having favour with all the people” (Acts 2:46–47).