August 27 I Tuesday

Psalms 120-122

1 Corinthians 9

“Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”  —Psalm 37:4

When I left bible college many years ago, I was not sure what I would do with my life. I had six possibilities open to me. I did not know which of these six might be right, so I consulted a wise man I knew. He said, “Probably none of them, because they are all different. What you need is a sense of vision from God as to what your life should be and then follow that vision.” I asked, “What’s a vision?” He said, “You have to find out. What I suggest you do is go away and ask God to give you a vision of what your life should consist of.”

I went away for two days with my notepad, pen and Bible. As I was reading, I came across this verse, “Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). Some interpret this verse inaccurately when they think that as we delight ourselves in God, we will get all the desires of our heart. However, the right interpretation of this verse is if we delight ourselves in God, the desires of our heart will be God-given desires.

If the latter is true, what would I really love to do if I could write my own ticket? I eventually condensed my thoughts into six bullet points. When I got home, I wrote back to those six possibilities stating, “I am not interested.” Afterwards, I felt freedom and relief to pursue whatever God might have in mind for me.

A week later, I received a call from Capernwray Hall, a bible school and conference ground located in northern England. I met with Major Ian Thomas, founder of Capernwray, who asked, “What are you doing with your life?” I said, “I am not sure.” He responded, “How would you like to work with us?” I replied, “What do you have in mind?” Then, he basically listed my six bullet points.

At that moment, I resonated with Jeremiah, who said, “Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD” (Jeremiah 32:8, NKJV). I did not know, nor did I have the courage or confidence to say so in advance, but through the Spirit of God’s inner direction––as we delight ourselves in God––He gives us the desires of our hearts.

We are told, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:6, NKJV). When we get our relationship with God right and leave the consequences to Him, He will direct our paths as we delight ourselves in Him.

Prayer: Dear Lord, teach me to delight myself in You and acknowledge You in all my ways. Be my guide through my life so that I may glorify You wherever You place me. Thank You, Lord.