Delight yourself in the Lord;
and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
and He will do it. Psalm 37:4-5
This verse is embedded in a chapter which differs from the over all scope we find in the Book of Psalms, for it mentions nothing of prayer or praise. But it is all instruction; it’s ” Mesihil – a teaching Psalm.”
It’s back drop is the prosperity of the wicked and the disgrace of the righteous, a type of situation where relationships are truly tested, “Shall I do as the Romans do or shall I stand alone and trust God?” (Read — Ps. 73)
We must always remember it’s only on the field of adversity that the degree of one’s faith or love is proven.
Much like a marriage, one’s love is not tested on the night of the honeymoon, where the bride and groom’s sensual and emotional thirst is satisfied from an ever flowing spring. But it is tested later, when the pressures of life twist your senses to the point of insanity. It’s no different in regards to our relationship with God. How easy it is to stand before the masses and testify how great God is, when all that you touch turns into gold.
But does one have the same zeal, when you’ve just received notice to vacate your premises or for some odd reason you fall into a state of depression, where all you can see is darkness?
LIFE ISN’T ALWAYS A HONEYMOON
We as Christian’s can rejoice, for we have been given the privilege to excel in the supernatural realm as we become the hands and heart of God in a hopeless world (John. 14:12-13). But we must also take heed to the words of Jesus as He forewarns us of this monumental fact, “…..IN THE WORLD YOU (will) HAVE TRIBULATIONS, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John. 16:33b) Though warned, still many believers are so surprised when tribulations manifest themselves in their lives. (1 Peter 4:12-14)
Jesus admonished the masses regarding this same theme, “…Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.” (John 4:48b & John 6:26). Yes life isn’t always a honeymoon, but it has its share of valleys, deserts and deep blue seas to cross.
A FRIEND OF GOD
Please be informed that any insight that I’ve learned regarding a successful marriage is not based on my personal experience, but to the contrary my knowledge is the residue of my own failed relationships (the school of hard knocks — ouch!). I believes if we are to better understand, what is meant by the Psalmist’s instruction for us all to” Delight yourself in the Lord,” we must first comprehend God’s ordained process of developing a robust and delightful (satisfying) relationship.
I found it very interesting that before all the signs and wonder’s ( spiritual honeymoon) that Moses performed in Egypt, God had formed a friendship with him for scripture tells us that, “Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend…… (Ex 33:11a).”
Their is no legal document to sign or ceremony to perform which makes a friendship valid, the only requirement that seals its validity is a common bond of interest. The Bible uses the term “kindred spirit” (Phil.2:20), which means to be like minded or equal in soul. Whoa — so great a spiritual principle is this
that scripture teaches us, “…….if two of you agree on earth about anything (everything — all things) that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 18:19 also: 16 &:20)
Now this is a good lesson for individuals who are contemplating marriage and this principle is also relevant within the church, for if God is not moving in your household or church, could it be that their is not even two people in your home or church who are in agreement (like minded – equal in soul)?
DELIGHT YOURSELF IN HIM
In the Gospels we witness one of the most beautiful attributes of God Almighty as He proclaims to His creation, “No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.” (John15:15)
In other words He is saying, to you and I “Hey I like being around you, I like your personality and I want to walk along side of you as your companion or intimate friend during your stay here on earth (read – John 14:16, 26 & 15:26 & 16:7). It’s during this journey that we learn to trust God in the mist of sickness, financial, family woes and everything else that satan dishes out at us. It’s also on this journey that our friendship develops into a self sacrificing love (read – John. 3:16).
We delight ourselves in Him, not because of the signs and wonders. But because we love being around Him, we are satisfied and secure in His presence (PS. 23).
What a healthy and solid foundation does a satisfied & grateful heart make! For though the storms of life may strip us of all earthly goods, we like storm tossed seeds will once again in the Spring time begin to break through the soil being satisfied by the warm sunshine provided by the Creator. (read Ps. 1 )
The great prophet of God Isaiah understood this truth as he pinned the following being inspired by the Holy Spirit,”Then you will take delight in the Lord, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; And I will feed you with the heritage (inheritance, portion) of Jacob your father, For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isa. 58:14). Amen – so be it!
Thank you once again for allowing you to share with you my experience, strength and hope in Jesus the Savior of the world.