Delight of My Heart

O. T. #1218  "Delight of My Heart"
June 7, 2018
Psalm 37-Part 2
Delight thyself also in the LORD; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.  Psalm 37:4

LET IT GLOW

This past week, I had joy and pleasure in being with my daughter and her family. I played games, read a book, talked with those six grandchildren. It brought me joy as we did things together, went places together, shared together. One morning in the heat, our son and son in law played football with the older guys and gals. I taught the two girls clapping in sync. We did the tourist thing, while traveling in the party van, a 12 passenger long van. Oh, the simple things of life. Sadly, it only lasted for a week, but the grandkids were the delight of my heart during that week.
Also, all 13 of us loaded up and worshiped together on Sunday morning. What a joy it was to fill a pew with the ones I love most. (I sit alone back home in our church.) Of course, grandma had to have a family picture made. The soft spot in my heart is held by God and family.
What delights you? Who holds a soft spot in your heart?

Delight means to be soft or pliable; delicate, in the Hebrew language.
In Webster's Dictionary, delight means joy; something that gives great pleasure; to give joy or satisfaction to.

I was not quite sure how to explain the Hebrew definition of delight, so I asked my pastor husband. He suggested that it referred to having a soft heart toward God. Now that made sense to me.
Do we have a soft heart toward God? Are we sensitive to what He is telling us today? Is our spirit calm and humble as we pray? Does what burdens Him, burdens us? Is His love pouring out to others?
Is He our joy? Do we take great pleasure in our time spent alone with Him? Does being with God give us great joy or satisfaction in this life?

Desires refers to request, petition.

When we find pleasure in the Lord God, we will then be rewarded with our innermost desires; we will have all that God intends for us to have. (Falwell)

Matthew Henry's Commentary says:

What is the desire of the heart of a good man? It is this, to know, and love, and live to God, to please Him  and to be pleased in Him.

Are we living to please God?


LET IT GROW

Okay, if those around you live wickedly and prosper, the psalmist gives lessons to teach us how to live in light of the wicked:

1. Fret not. Don't be concerned, for the righteous are in a better position than the wicked.
2. Trust in the Lord. The cure for fretting is faith. Regardless of the circumstances around us, we must still trust in the Lord.
3. Delight in the Lord. If we make the Lord God the object of our affection, our meditation, and our activity, then we will find ourselves rejoicing in the Spirit.
4. Commit thy way unto the Lord.
5. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.

In spite of living in a wicked world, we can be light and salt for Jesus. We can stand out and be different. Instead of being self-centered, we can be others-centered. While others may be discontent, we can be thankful and content.
Are we loving God with a soft heart, all our soul, all our mind, and all our strength?

LET IT GO

Have a soft heart toward God.
Delight in Him; thank Him for what He does and gives; praise Him for who He is.
Trust God with my all, in all, and through it all.
Fret not for He is God and in control.